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

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 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

To say that the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as pope was a surprise is an understatement. Since his name was announced on the balcony of St. Peter’s square March 13, there has been great interest in what he has to say and teach on matters of the faith. There are several sources of information ...read more

As a 22 year old, it is always humbling to have to ask for money from those whom I know, in many cases, are struggling financially themselves. There seems to be a financial need everywhere these days – coming to us from places like our homes, workplaces and places of worship. It is sobering to ...read more

The Easter season continues with yet another episode of Lectio Divina. On this month’s edition, Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto continues his series of reflections on the Year of Faith by looking at St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. In that very letter, St. Paul writes, “So faith comes from what is heard; and what ...read more

Pope Francis chose a fitting day to preside at the first priestly ordinations of his pontificate. Tomorrow, April 21, is the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, an occasion instituted by Servant of God Paul VI in the midst of the Second Vatican Council. The fourth Sunday of Easter also represents Good Shepherd Sunday, ...read more

  The pope creates and advisory panel Eight Cardinals from around the world have been asked by Pope Francis to advise him on reforms to the Roman Curia. The Vatican announced April 13 that Pope Francis had appointed eight cardinals to be part of an advisory panel to help him make changes to “Pastor Bonus,” ...read more

It’s the most popular book in history, and yet it’s possibly the most misunderstood: the Bible. On this week’s Catholic Focus — featuring the new look for our flagship current affairs series — host Kris Dmytrenko speaks with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who are bringing the Word of God to a new generation through ...read more

The headlines proclaimed an epic showdown: Jesus versus the zombies. This wasn’t an imaginative retelling of a familiar story (an increasingly popular subgenre of historical fiction). Rather, this was a battle for cable TV ratings, pitting “The Bible” miniseries on the History channel against AMC’s zombie hit “The Walking Dead”. When their season finales aired ...read more