Pope Francis greets victims of violence outside the Vatican nunciature in Bogota, Colombia, Sept. 8. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano) Some of the most moving encounters that the Holy Father had in Colombia went mostly under-reported. Some of these took place each evening at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bogotá, where he was staying. At the gathering with ...read more

Pope Francis concluded his first apostolic  journey to Colombia on Sunday, September 10, 2017 with the celebration of the final Mass. Below, find the full address of his prepared homily: In this city, which has been called “heroic” for its tenacity in defending freedom two hundred years ago, I celebrate the concluding Mass of my ...read more

Pope Francis delivered the Angelus address during his visit to Colombia. Read the full text of his address below: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Shortly before I entered this church where the relics of Saint Peter Claver are kept, I blessed the first stones of two institutions that will minister to the those most in need, ...read more

On Saturday, September 9, 2017, Pope Francis continued his 4th day in Colombia with a visit to the Hogar San Jose, followed by an encounter with priests, men and women religious, consecration persons, seminarians and their families in the La Macarena indoor stadium. Below, find the full text of his prepared discourse: Dear Brother Bishops, ...read more

On Saturday, September 9, 2017 Pope Francis continued his 4th day in Colombia with a visit to a the orphanage Hogar San Jose, a complex founded by a missionary priest in 1910 that is home to 1,100 orphans and young people. Below, find the full text of his prepared address: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear Boys ...read more

On Saturday, September 9, 2017, Pope Francis began his 4th day in Colombia with the celebration of daily mass at the Enrique Olaya Herrera airport in Medellin. Below, find the full text of his prepared homily: Dear Brothers and Sisters, During the Mass on Thursday in Bogotá, we heard Jesus calling his first disciples; the ...read more

On Friday, September 8, 2017, Pope Francis prayed for National Reconciliation at the Parque Las Molacas in Villavicencio in Colombia. Below, find the full text of his prepared remarks: Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have been looking forward to this moment since my arrival in your country. You carry in your hearts and your flesh ...read more

On Friday, September 8, 2017 Pope Francis began his second full day in Colombia with the Celebration of Mass in Villavicencio. The Mass was both a celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and a Beatification Mass for Jesus Emilio Jaramillo Monsalve, Bishop of Arauca and Pedro Maria Ramirez Ramos, Diocesan priest. Below, find ...read more

Pope Francis concluded his first full day in Colombia with the celebration of Mass at Simon Bolivar Park in Bogota. Below, find the full text of his prepared homily: The Gospel writer tells us that the calling of the first disciples happened along the shore of Lake Gennesaret, where the people came together to hear ...read more

On Thursday, September 7, 2017, Pope Francis met with the Latin American Bishop’s Council (CELAM) during his first apostolic visit to Colombia. Read the full text of his prepared remarks below: Dear Brothers, I thank you for our meeting and for the warm words of welcome by the President of the Latin American Episcopal Council. ...read more