This week brought another historic moment in church history. As of Thursday, there are two popes living in Vatican City. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI returned to the Vatican after two months living in the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. His helicopter left the papal estate at 4:30pm local time and arrived at the heliport in ...read more

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI pray together in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesia monastery where the retired pope will live from now on. The two prayed side by side, “like brothers.” — Photo by L’Osservatore Romano ...read more

The morning after his election, the first item on Pope Francis’ agenda was visiting the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he left a bouquet of flowers for Our Lady. He returns to the basilica on Saturday, once again with a Marian intention. The pontiff will pray the rosary, which will be broadcast live on ...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

By Leanna Capiello New York, (S+L) Humans are no stranger to paradox: rich and poor, truth and lies, love and hate. And there are two things that mirror these human paradoxes with merit and mercy: art and religion. Art is a vast, ever-growing expression of us as people. It’s tied to history, geography, and psychology. ...read more

Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ catechesis at today’s General Audience. The transcript and translation of the Holy Father’s talk are provided by Vatican Radio. Dear brothers and sisters, Good Day! Today, May 1st, we celebrate Saint Joseph the Worker and begin the month traditionally dedicated to Our Lady. In our encounter this ...read more

For a century, the Archdiocese of Toronto’s Catholic Charities, and its army of volunteers, has ministered to generations of people in need. Theirs is a labour of love. In tonight’s episode of Catholic Focus join host Cheridan Sanders as she speaks with Michael Fullan, Executive Director and Jack Panozzo, Program Manager of Social Justice and ...read more

Join the Sisters of the Precious Blood as they celebrate 100 years of prayer and reparation in the Diocese of London. Salt + Light will broadcast this special celebratory mass from St Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in London, Ontario on Wednesday, May 1 starting at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT with repeat broadcasts on ...read more

For forty-four young people, Sunday will be one of the most (if not the most) important days of their lives.  Pope Francis will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on each of them at a Mass in St. Peter’s Square. (The above photo from 2012 shows then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio leading a confirmation service in a poor ...read more

The papal General Audiences on Wednesdays follow pretty much the same formula. There are some variables: the special guests on the “sagrario” and the choirs who are introduced and sing for the pope. Recently the St. Michael’s Choir School from Toronto did just that. This brought a wave of questions about just how a choir ...read more