On Good Friday at 5:00 p.m., Rome time in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. During the Liturgy of the Word, the Passion according to the Gospel of John was proclaimed. This was followed by the homily delivered by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. ...read more

Here is a Zenit translation of the text of the homily Pope Francis gave off-the-cuff after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel. ...read more

Chrism Mass Homily of Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston Cathedral of the Holy Cross April 11, 2017 One of the common themes of movies and TV shows is time travel, apparatuses that allow people to travel back in time. By adding the renewal of our priestly commitment, Pope Paul VI has given ...read more

On Thursday, Pope Francis presided over the Chrism Mass, during which the sacred oils used for the Sacraments and Ordinations were blessed. In his homily for the Mass, the Holy Father spoke about the “joy of the Gospel”. ...read more

On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Pope Francis presided at the prayer vigil in preparation for the 32nd World Youth Day on Palm Sunday. Below, find the full text of his unscripted remarks: ...read more

It is always amazing how Jesus speaks to us through the hearts of children. Watch The Good Shepherd and walk with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, from the Last Supper, his arrest, passion and crucifixion, with the help of the imagination and words of children. The Good Shepherd was made in partnership with the Office of ...read more

A reflection on the Passion of our Lord What do we celebrate on Good Friday? Why do we drag ourselves through the Passion year after year instead of skipping right ahead to the joy of the resurrection at Easter? Do we not know that Jesus is risen? Do we suffer from annual amnesia, reliving the same ...read more

Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Palm Sunday 9 April 2017 Today’s celebration can be said to be bittersweet. It is joyful and sorrowful at the same time. We celebrate the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem to the cries of his disciples who acclaim him as king. Yet we also solemnly proclaim the Gospel account of ...read more

French Biblical Scholar Anne-Marie Pelletier was asked by Pope Francis to compose the meditations for the Vatican’s Way of the Cross. ...read more

A reflection for Palm Sunday There are two Gospel readings for this Sunday, Palm Sunday. The first is the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11). This Gospel is proclaimed as our palms are blessed, uniting us with the same crowds that cried “Hosanna” and praised Jesus as their king, “he who comes in ...read more