On Thursday, July 9, 2015 the Holy Father arrived at the private residents at the Coliseum of Don Bosco College for the meeting with the priests, men and women religious and seminarian. The meeting began with a greeting by S.E. Msgr. Roberto Bordi, OFM , Auxiliary Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of El Beni and Director of ...read more

Much of the novelty surrounding the person and pontificate of Pope Francis can be attributed to his Argentine, Latin American background. His personal style, his understanding of church matters and his views on global issues are all shaped by that particular cultural experience. The significance of this cannot be overstated. So when Francis returns to ...read more

On Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Pope Francis arrived in Bolivia for the second leg of his Apotolic Journey to South America. The next day, the Holy Father celebrated his first public mass in Bolivia at Christ the Redeemer Square in Santa Cruz. Read the full text of his homily for the mass, which opened the ...read more

On Wednesday evening, July 8, 2015, the Holy Father met with the civil authories in La Paz Cathedral in Bolivia. The authorities present included the Head of State, political and civil authories, representatives of the nation’s cultural institutions and members of the Diplomatic Corps. After greeting S. E. Mons. Edmundo Luis Flavio Abastoflor, Archbishop of La ...read more

On Wednesday, July 8, 2015, Pope Francis departed from Ecuador for La Paz, Bolivia for the second leg of his tour in South America. Upon arrival at the Internationl Airport “El Alto,” The Holy Father was greeted by President Evo Morales and hundreds of thousands of Bolivian pilgrims. Read the full text of his welcoming ...read more

On Wednesday morning, July 8, 2015, Pope Francis arrived at the Sanctuary of “El Quinche” for the meeting with the clergy, men and women religious and seminarians. Upon arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by the Rector of the Shrine at the main entrance of the church, which was full of priests and religious elders. The Holy Father ...read more

Pope Francis on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, held a meeting with Political, Economic, and Civic Leaders at Saint Francis Church in Quito, Ecuador. Below please find the official English translation of the prepared remarks of the Holy Father:  Dear Friends, Good afternoon. Forgive me If I am not facing you directly, but I need the light ...read more

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015, Pope Francis visited the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador in Quito for a meeting the educators. Read the full text of his address below: My Brother Bishops, Father Rector, Distinguished Authorities, Dear Professors and Students, Dear Friends, I am very happy to be here with you this afternoon at the ...read more

On Tuesday, July 7, 2015, Pope Francis presided over a mass at the Parque Bicentenario in Quito, Ecuador for the Evangelization of Peoples, in front of over 1 million people. The full text of his homily can be found below: The word of God calls us to live in unity, that the world may believe. ...read more

Following Pope Francis’ visit to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Guayaquil, the Holy Father presided at the Holy Mass at the Parque de Los Samanes for the faithful in Ecuador’s most populous city. The Mass was dedicated to the family. Read the full text of the Holy Father’s homily below: The Gospel passage which we ...read more