As World Youth Day draws near, the Vatican today released statistics about the Church in Brazil. For your reference we’ve included the published bulletin below:   Vatican City, 20 June 2013 (VIS) For the occasion of Francis’ upcoming apostolic trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to preside at the 38th World Youth Day, statistics have ...read more

In the lead-up to World Youth Day Rio I thought we’d get acquainted with the patron saints and intercessors for this year, as there are 18 in total. Now, that’s some serious intercession! Some of these saints you’ll recognize immediately like St. Therese of Lisieux, others will be completely new – isn’t it great how ...read more

Brazil has been a fascinating experience: in spite of being Portuguese and speaking the same language as the locals, there is a cultural difference. I arrived in Rio a week ago and right away I could feel the energy of the people, who are always ready to help you. The first Mass I attended on ...read more

In October, 2012, Bishops from around the world met in Rome to discuss “The New Evangelization.”  It was a moment of great expectation in the Catholic Church, and for the first time in history the Vatican allowed two outside journalists to attend the closed sessions of a Synod of Bishops.  For the past six months ...read more

Pope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI inside the doorway of the Mater Ecclesia monastery in Vatican City. Benedict XVI returned to Vatican City for the first time after his resignation became official on February 28, 2013. — Photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano Photographic Service ...read more

Pope Francis and Cardinal Agostino Vallini look on as a plaque is unveiled, dedicating the plaza in front of the Basilica of St. John Lateran to the last Pope John Paul II. The dedication ceremony took place just before the Mass during which Pope Francis officially took possession of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, ...read more

Habemus Papam! At approximately 7:13pm (Rome time) on Wednesday March 13, 2013, the world has witnessed white smoke! Follow everything live at saltandlighttv.org/habemuspapam ...read more

Sebastian prepares to interview Cardinal Donald Wuerl at the headquarters of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. Look for the interview to be featured in an upcoming S+L documentary about the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization. Cardinal Wuerl served as Relator General during the 2012 Synod.   ...read more

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters CNS description: Pope Benedict XVI speaks to astronauts on the International Space Station from the Vatican via a video link May 21, 2011. ...read more

A religious novice brings the child Jesus in during a visit of the Heralds of the Gospel to the Asilo Irmãos, home for the elderly in Maputo, Mozambique – Photo credit: Gustavo Kralj/GaudiumPress ...read more