This week the Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica published a letter to the editor on their front page. The letter in question came from a rather high profile reader: Pope Francis. La Repubblica’s editor and co-founder, Eugenio Scalfari had written an article about obstacle to faith. However, Scalfari’s article also made it clear that he ...read more

  Homily of His Holiness Pope FrancisVigil of Prayer and FastingSaturday September 7, 2013 “And God saw that it was good” (Gen 1:12, 18, 21, 25).  The biblical account of the beginning of the history of the world and of humanity speaks to us of a God who looks at creation, in a sense contemplating it, ...read more

On this worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, Salt and Light is pleased to broadcast the Vigil of Prayer with Pope Francis LIVE from St. Peter’s Square beginning at 1pm ET / 10am PT. You can tune in either by watching our television network or viewing our live stream at saltandlighttv.org/live. For ...read more

Pope Francis has sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg.  The meeting of economic powerhouses was supposed to focus on stabilizing the global financial system, but the crisis in Syria and the lack of consensus among the international community on possible military involvement may take over ...read more

Pope Francis has called for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the entire Mideast region, and throughout the whole world to be held this coming Saturday, September 7th, 2013. The Pope made the announcement during the course of remarks ahead of the traditional Angelus prayer this Sunday. Below, find the ...read more

Vatican Connections is on summer hiatus, returning on September 27. One feature of every Vatican Connections is the “Roman Profile” segment. Below is a Roman Profile post, featuring Cardinal Celso Costantini. Watch for the full, television version of this Roman Profile, featuring and interview with Costantini biographer Monsignor Bruno Pighin, during the new season of ...read more

Those were the three thoughts Pope Francis left with us during the Closing Mass on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. This was the climax of the week, when we gather for the source and summit of our Faith. And after a week of surprises and simple, yet powerful messages, these three thoughts summarised it ...read more

Homily of Pope Francis for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Castel Gandolfo, August 15, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters! At the end of its Constitution on the Church, the Second Vatican Council left us a very beautiful meditation on Mary Most Holy. Let me just recall the words referring ...read more

As far as I can tell in our day and age, only church councils and papal transitions can attract the kind of global attention for the Catholic Church that is both honest and positive.  While working in Rome in February and March of 2013, I was struck by this reality and by how the intrigue ...read more

Tonight in San Antonio, Texas at the 131st Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston gave the following keynote to the over two thousand Knights, their wives, bishops, cardinals, and priests gathered for the States Dinner. The New Evangelization in the Pontificate of Pope Francis Keynote Address of His Eminence Seán ...read more