Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Mass of Thanksgiving for the Equivalent Canonizationof Saints François de Laval and Marie de l’Incarnation Sunday, 12 October 2014 We have heard Isaiah’s prophecy: “The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces…” (Is 25:8).  These words, full of hope in God, point us to the goal, ...read more

So far in part 1  and part 2, we looked at how natural law is usually defined and how some of these definitions cause confusion. I also offered a definition that has always worked well for me. It helps to repeat it: Natural law is the law that says that all things work best or ...read more

The first week of the Synod on the family has wrapped up in Rome. Participants have moved from general working sessions into small group sessions where they will go over the issues discussed “in aula” and work towards creating a unified document that can be presented to Pope Francis. While there has been unity among ...read more

Here’s a few things happening in the church across Canada: In Montreal, one family is fighting to stay in the country after their refugee claims were denied. The family’s parish has launched a campaign to raise public awareness about their case. The parish pastor calls the government’s reaction so far a “wall of indifference.” In ...read more

Pope Paul VI greets the crowd as he visits the Verano cemetery in Rome in 1973. Pope Francis will beatify Pope Paul Oct. 19 during the closing Mass of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family. (CNS photo/Giancarlo Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo) To learn more about the Church’s role in the modern world, watch ...read more

Today on Inside the Synod discussions got heated as the bishops reflected on difficult pastoral situations. Sebastian Gomes brings us the highlights. ...read more

Pope Paul VI is carried on the “sedia gestatoria,” a ceremonial throne, during a meeting of the Second Vatican Council in 1964. Pope Francis will beatify Pope Paul Oct. 19 during the closing Mass of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family. The miracle needed for Pope Paul’s beatification involved the birth of a ...read more

Tonight on Inside the Synod, the Pope calls Christians to greater unity at his weekly General Audience, and the Bishops reflect on the very practical challenges facing families today. ...read more

On Sunday, October 12, 2014, Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Canonization of two Canadian saints, St. Francis de Laval and St. Mary of the Incarnation. The Office of Liturgical Celebration released a statement announcing that other bishops and priests will concelebrate the Mass with the Holy Father, as indicated by ...read more

Tonight on Inside the Synod: Cardinal Sodano makes a special announcement about the Church’s response to the Middle East, a summary of the major themes developing at the Synod, and a special sit-down with Cardinal Pell, Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy. ...read more