The statue of Jesus on St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Christmas tree are seen from St. Peter’s Square following a lighting ceremony Dec. 13, 2013. CNS photo/Paul Haring ...read more

On Monday, December 21, 2015, Pope Francis met with the Roman Curia and presented them with the annual Christmas greetings. Below you can find the full text of the Pope’s address to the gathered Cardinals and Superiors of the Roman Curia. Dear brothers and sisters, Forgive me for not standing up as I speak to you, ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 21, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 9:1; ...read more

Men salute as Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services arrives on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis to visit troops around Christmas in 2011. The archdiocese provides priest chaplains, with the permission of their home dioceses, to minister to the military. The chaplain’s ...read more

In this Advent series, Deacon Pedro learns from Judaism as he prepares for the coming of the Messiah. In the fourth and last week, Deacon Pedro and Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich look at where words, signs, symbols and light lead us and at the meaning of Messiah in Judaism. ...read more

Last week we saw that there is a difference between mercy and compassion. Compassion (to suffer with) can be offered to anyone who is suffering. Mercy, on the other hand can only be offered to someone who is guilty and deserves punishment; mercy is offered instead of punishment. Therefore there is a direct connection between ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 20, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 22:22, ...read more

Church-goers gather outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Beijing before Christmas Eve Mass Dec. 24, 2009. CNS photo/David Gray, Reuters ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 19, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 11:1, ...read more

The late Cardinal Francis George of Chicago gives communion to detainees during Mass at Cook County Department of Corrections, Division 6, a medium-security facility in Chicago on Christmas Day. The cardinal also made a stop at Children’s Memorial Hospital to visit with families and their children who are hospitalized and could not be home for Christmas. ...read more