Last Monday was our last free day here in Rio de Janeiro, maybe the calm before the storm but I am sure this WYD is going to be an incredible experience in my life. Not just because the beauty of the city, the friendly Brazilians or because the wonderful beaches but the energy that you ...read more

Angelus address of Pope Francis given at the Archbishop’s Residence on the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, July 26, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear Friends, I give thanks to Divine Providence for bringing me here to the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. I offer heartfelt thanks ...read more

Yesterday Pope Francis held a special, impromptu meeting with the youth of his native Argentina in the Cathedral of St. Sebastian in Rio. Below is Vatican Information Service’s account of this joyful occasion as well as full text of the Holy Father’s remarks in Spanish and Italian. “I WANT THE CHURCH TO GO INTO THE ...read more

Reflection of Pope Francis during the Papal Welcoming Celebration following the Gospel Reading of the Transfiguration [Luke 9:28-36], July 25, 2013 Dear Friends, “It is good for us to be here!” Peter cries out after seeing the Lord Jesus transfigured in glory. Do we want to repeat these words with him? I think the answer ...read more

Address of Pope Francis at the WYD Rio Papal Welcoming Ceremony, July 25, 2013 Dear Young Friends, Good evening! In you I see the beauty of Christ’s young face and I am filled with joy. I recall the first World Youth Day on an international level. It was celebrated in 1987 in Argentina, in my ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the people of the Varginhas community, July 25, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is wonderful to be here with you! From the start, my wish in planning this visit to Brazil was to be able to visit every district throughout the nation. I would have liked to knock on ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the community of the Saint Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, July 24, 2013 Dear Archbishop Tempesta, brother Bishops, Distinguished Authorities, Members of the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis of Penance, Doctors, Nurses, and Health Care Workers, Dear Young People and Family Members, God has willed that ...read more

Greetings of Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop of Aparecida, to Pope Francis upon his visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, July 24, 2013 Holy Father, With great pleasure, I welcome Your Holiness this National Shrine of Our Lady of the Conception Aparecida. This Your pastoral visit to the shrine of the patron ...read more

Homily of Pope Francis at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, July 24, 2013 My Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, What joy I feel as I come to the house of the Mother of every Brazilian, the Shrine of our Lady of Aparecida! The day after my election as Bishop of ...read more

Message of Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, at the close of the Opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 23, 2013 Dearest young people! The long-awaited day has arrived: the inauguration of the 28th World Youth Day. Welcome to Rio ...read more