Below is a ZENIT translation of Pope Francis’ off-the-cuff words at the St. Sauveur Refugee Camp in the Central African Republic’s capital of Bangui: I greet all of you here. I tell you that I read what the children had written [on signs], “peace”, “forgiveness”, “unity” and so many things … “love”. We must work and pray and ...read more

Many people have asked me either how we came to work on a project about the environment, or how we ended up with the format that we ended up with. My response is always that we began with one question, “why should we care for the environment?” and we tried to be honest and thorough ...read more

On Sunday, November 29, 2015, Pope Francis arrived in the Central African Republic for the final leg of his first Apostolic Visit to Africa. Below you will find the full text of his address at the Presidential Palace in Bangui: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps Bangui, Presidential ...read more

Here is a transcription and translation of the unscripted address Pope Francis gave this evening to priests and religious in Uganda. Transcription and translation by ZENIT International News Service. There are three things I want to tell you. First of all, in the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds his people: “Don’t forget.” And he repeats ...read more

On Saturday, November 28, 2015, Pope Francis visited the Nalukolongo House of Charity for the elderly and disabled in Kampala. Below, you will find the prepared remarks of his address to those caregivers: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Visit to the House of Charity Kampala, Nalukolongo Saturday 28 November 2015 Dear Friends, Thank you ...read more

Here is a transcription and translation of the unscripted address Pope Francis gave to young people this afternoon in Uganda. Transcription and translation by ZENIT International News Service. I listened with much sorrow in my heart to the testimonies of Winnie and Emmanuel. But as I was listening, I asked myself a question: Can a ...read more

On Saturday, November 28, 2015, Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass in Namugongo, the site of the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine. Below, you will find the full text of the Holy Father’s prepared homily: Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Mass at the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine, Namugongo Saturday November 28, 2015 “You shall receive power when the ...read more

SETTLE FOR LESS Turns out living simply and settling for ‘good enough’ is a sure fire way to be happy. Barry Schwartz in his popular TED talk on the paradox of choice suggests that we’ve been ingrained with the idea that the way to be happy is to maximize our freedom. And the way that ...read more

While we celebrate Pope Francis’ historic visit to Uganda today, I thought I’d share with you this classic image of Pope John Paul II during his apostolic visit to Uganda in 1993. Wonderful, isn’t it? During the 26 and a half years of his pontificate, John Paul II was a pilgrim to 129 different countries ...read more

On Friday evening, November 27, 2015, Pope Francis visited the Munyonyo Martyrs’ Shrine for a meeting with Catechists and Teachers. Below you will find the full text of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks: Greeting to Catechists Kampala, Munyonyo Friday, 27 November 2015 Dear Catechists and Teachers, Dear Friends, I greet you with affection in the ...read more