Before departing for Sri Lanka on Monday, Pope Francis delivered his annual address to the diplomatic corps, providing an occasion for reflection on the matter of politics and the Church and more specifically—in light of the recent revelation of Vatican involvement in the easing of USA-Cuba relations—on the Catholic Church’s role in global politics. 2014 ...read more

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, Pope Francis attended a Marian Prayer service at the Madhu Shrine in Colombo. Below you can find his full address during the service: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Marian Prayer Madhu Shrine January 14, 2015 Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are in our Mother’s house.  Here she welcomes us ...read more

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, Pope Francis presided over the Canonization Mass of St. Joseph Vaz, Apostole of Sri Lanka, in Colombo. Below you will find the Holy Father’s homily, along with a thank you address by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Canonization Mass of Saint Joseph Vaz ...read more

Shortly after arriving in Sri Lanka, Pope Francis attended an Interreligious and Ecumenical Gathering. Below you will find the Holy Father’s full address during the meeting, along with a welcoming address, given by Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera OSB, chairperson of the Interreligious and Ecumenical Gathering. Dear Colleagues and Friends, Greeting by Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera OSB, ...read more

Upon arrival at the International Airport in Colombo this evening, and after an airline flight of almost ten hours from Rome, the Pope was welcomed by the newly elected President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, along with several government authorities, Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, bishops of Sri Lanka, a group ...read more

This week, Pope Francis is set to make his first apostolic journey of 2015, a year when he will travel extensively. He begins Monday in Asia, the world’s most populous continent, by visiting a pair of island nations: Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Both nations have in recent years been the site of incredible human suffering and social upheaval. ...read more

This morning at 10:30 in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, Pope Francis delivered this address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. It is the traditional address of the Holy Father at the beginning of each New Year. Following some introductory words by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, His ...read more

This morning at 11:30 in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, Pope Francis delivered the following address to participants in the special meeting convened by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” and the Pontifical council for Latin America, marking the fifth anniversary of the Haitian earthquake. The theme of the meeting that took place yesterday and ...read more

Point of View: Interpreting the Francis Effect is a S+L series that goes deeper into the important questions surrounding the person and pontificate of Pope Francis.  The series consists of a selection of the full interviews from S+L’s original documentary The Francis Effect. This week: Alison Smith Alison Smith is a renowned and highly respected ...read more

“How I want a poor church; a poor church for the poor” – these were the words that Pope Francis used at the start of his pontificate to make clear his plans for the church. His decision to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines is confirmation of his view of the church. Beginning January 13, ...read more