Pope Francis on Sunday celebrated Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners in St Peter’s Basilica, telling those present, “by learning from past mistakes, you can open a new chapter of your lives.” Below, find the full text of his address: The message that God’s word wants to bring us today is surely that of hope. ...read more

On his return trip from Sweden last Tuesday, Pope Francis spoke with the journalists on the flight answering their questions about a range of topics including welcoming refugees, female priests, secularization and his meetings with Venezuela’s President. Commenting on the new direction of Sweden to close its borders to refugees, the Pope stressed the clear difference between the ...read more

Pope Francis concluded his 26-hour pastoral visit to Sweden on Tuesday morning by celebrating a Mass in the southern city of Malmo for the nation’s small Catholic community. Please see below an English translation of Pope Francis’ homily at the Mass in Malmo: Today, with the entire Church, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. ...read more

1. Preamble Caritas Internationalis, created in 1951, is the social and justice arm of the Catholic Church. It is at the same time a confederation of 165 national organisations present in 200 countries and territories and a central entity of the Holy See. Serve, accompany and defend the poor: its mission is to promote a ...read more

I thank God for this joint commemoration of the five-hundredth anniversary of the Reformation. We remember this anniversary with a renewed spirit and in the recognition that Christian unity is a priority, because we realize that much more unites us than separates us. The journey we have undertaken to attain that unity is itself a ...read more

The program in the Malmo Arena consists of several moments. Following the word of welcome, found individuals representing, India, Colombia, Burundi, and the Olympic Refugee Team will offer personal testimonies. These testimonies will be followed by by a “Call to Action” which consists of questions and answers led by Michel Roy, Secretary General of Caritas ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For November 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Countries Receiving Refugees – That the countries which take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees may find support for their efforts which show solidarity. Collaboration of Priests and Laity – That ...read more

On October 31, 2016, the Joint Ecumenical Prayer Service took place in the Lutheran Cathedral of Lund. Upon His arrival in the Cathedral, Pope Francis was welcomed by the Primate of the Church of Sweden, Archbishop Antje Jackelen, and the Catholic Bishop of Stockholm, S.E. Mons. Anders Arborelius, both of whom accompanied the Holy Father in ...read more

During the Joint Ecumenical Prayer Service in the Lutheran Cathedral of Lund, Sweden, Pope Francis and Bishop Munib Yunan, President of the Lutheran World Federation, signed the Joint Declaration. The text is found below: Lund, 31 October 2016 «Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself ...read more

On Monday evening Pope Francis received, in a private and unexpected audience, the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The meeting lasted 30 minutes and they talked about the aggravation of the political crisis in the South American country. It has turned into an increasingly serious situation since now the president himself is being harshly criticized by people ...read more