For those who watched or witnessed the recent papal visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, it’s impossible not to have noticed the involvement of Manila’s archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Tagle is easily the most popular Cardinal of the Catholic Church, and not just among Filipinos. He’s been likened to Pope Francis, in wide ...read more

Sunday saw Pope Francis wrap up what was by all accounts, an enormously successful trip to Asia. He canonized Sri Lanka’s first saint, celebrated the single largest Mass in the Church’s history in Manila (attendance estimated to have been between six and seven million) and received nothing short of a rock star welcome everywhere he ...read more

Pope Francis celebrated Sunday Mass in Rizal Park in Manila for approximately 6 million people on January 18, 2015. Below you will find the full text of his homily & the greetings of Cardinal Tagle & Archbishop Villegas. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Manila, Rizal Park January 18, 2015 “A child is born to ...read more

On Sunday, January 18, Pope Francis met with the young people of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Below you will find the full text of his address, along with the Welcome Message of the Encounter with Youth, given by Rev. Leopoldo Jaucian, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth. Welcome Message to ...read more

On Saturday, January 17, Pope Francis met with Priests, Religious, Seminarians and Families at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord in Palo, Leyte. Below you can the full text of the Holy Father’s address, along with Archbishop John Du’s Presentation of the Delegates address. Presentation of the Delegates by Archbishop John Du January 17, ...read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the grounds of the airport in Tacloban City, Philippines, on Saturday morning. An estimated 500 thousand people braved wind and often driving rain to take part in the liturgy. Putting aside his prepared text for the homily, the Holy Father spoke to the gathered faithful in his native Spanish. Below, ...read more

badassery [MASS NOUN] North American informal Behaviour, characteristics, or actions regarded as formidably impressive: few of us can attain her level of badassery The other day I read an article that used the word ‘badassery’. I couldn’t believe it: had the word finally crossed the Rubicon and become a legitimate word? I checked the Oxford dictionary. Yup, there it was. That got me thinking: ...read more

Welcome message of Bishop Gabriel Reyes, Bishop of Antipolo and President of the Episcopal Commission for the Family, during the Encounter of Pope Francis with Filipino families on January 16, 2015. Most Holy Father, Welcome home! This is your home. We are your children and you are our father. The families of the Philippines are ...read more

On Friday, January 16, 2015, Pope Francis arrived at the Manila Cathedral in Manila, Philippines for Mass with Bishops, Priests and Religious. Before Mass, Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, welcomed Pope Francis to the Philippines. Below you can find the full text of his address, along with the full text of Pope Francis’ homily during ...read more

  On Friday, January 16, Pope Francis me with the Authorities and Diplomatic Corps of Manila in Malacañang Palace. Below you will the full text of his address: Dear Colleagues and Friends, Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps Manila, Malacañang Palace January 16, 2015 Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank ...read more