Iraqis re-enact the Nativity at Ainkawa refugee camp near Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 19, 2014. Christmas bells did not ring in Mosul and Christian villages last year for the first time in 1,600 years. CNS photo/Sahar Mansour ...read more

The Jubilee of Mercy is upon us and you know what that means? No? Me neither. At least, I didn’t really know what it meant or how it pertained to me until a little while ago. Earlier this year, March 13, 2015 to be exact, Pope Francis announced a Holy Year of Mercy for the ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For December 2015, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Experiencing God’s Mercy – That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving. Families –That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain ...read more

On Monday, November 30, 2015, on his last day in Africa, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Barthélémy Boganda Stadium, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Bangui, Barthélémy Boganda Stadium 30 November 2015 We might be astonished, listening to this morning’s first reading, ...read more

On Monday, November 30, 2015, on the final day of his first Apostolic Visit to Africa, Pope Francis met with the Muslim Community in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Address of Pope Francis Meeting with the Muslim Community Bangui, Central Mosque November 30, 2015 Dear ...read more

Here is a ZENIT transcription and translation of the address Pope Francis gave this evening in Bangui, Central African Republic, at a prayer vigil outside of the cathedral. The Pope had just completed a ceremony to open the Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy and celebrated Mass. Pope Francis’ Unscripted Address at Prayer Vigil ...read more

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated Mass with priests, consecrated persons and lay leaders in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared homily: Homily of Pope Francis Mass with Priests, Consecrated Persons and Lay Leaders Bangui, Cathedral 29 November 2015 On this first Sunday of Advent, ...read more

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pope Francis met with various Evangelical Communities at the Faculty of Evangelical Theology in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with Evangelical Communities Bangui, Faculty of Evangelical Theology November 29, 2015 Dear Brothers and ...read more

Below is a ZENIT translation of Pope Francis’ off-the-cuff words at the St. Sauveur Refugee Camp in the Central African Republic’s capital of Bangui: I greet all of you here. I tell you that I read what the children had written [on signs], “peace”, “forgiveness”, “unity” and so many things … “love”. We must work and pray and ...read more

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pope Francis arrived in the Central African Republic for the final leg of his first Apostolic Visit to Africa. Below you will find the full text of his address at the Presidential Palace in Bangui: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps Bangui, Presidential ...read more