Pope Francis delivered remarks to the Presidents of Palestine and Israel, Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres, along with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and delegations representing Jews, Christians and Muslims, all of whom were gathered in the Vatican Pentecost Sunday evening to pray for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world. ...read more

Part two of a reflection for the Solemnity of Pentecost. The readings are Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 103; Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 and John 20: 19-23. Read part one here. My first experience with the Holy Spirit was when I was about 12 years old. A new associate pastor arrived at our parish in Panama that year. ...read more

Part one of a reflection for the Solemnity of Pentecost. The readings are Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 103; Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 and John 20: 19-23. Tomorrow we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and in the readings we have two completely different versions of the same event. In the book of Acts, Luke describes the ...read more

In the lead up to the much anticipated prayer meeting with Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas, it has been business as usual at the Vatican. Pope Francis appointed a new board of directors for the Financial Information Authority and graciously thanked the previous directors, who have all reached the end of their term. The new ...read more

Watch live Sunday June 8th at 12:00 pm ET / 9:00 am PT Before the ceremony The two Presidents will arrive at the Vatican within 15/20 minutes of each other (18.15- 18.30). They will be welcomed at the entrance of the St. Martha Residence by the Holy Father. The Holy Father will hold a short ...read more

Pray for peace in the Holy Land with Pope Francis By Oscar Andrés Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga, SDB June 4 2014 Pope Francis has invited Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the Vatican to pray for peace in the Holy Land this Pentecost Sunday. On his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Pope said,  “All of us ...read more

Here is some of what has been happening across the country this week:   In Vancouver, Archbishop Michael Miller wrote a letter calling the faithful of the west coast to take action against prostitution by offering women a way out. The letter comes months after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the nation’s laws ...read more

This week we’re unpacking the souvenirs from Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to the Holy Land, including the pending prayer meeting with Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres. We speak to Fr. Thomas Rosica about the symbolism of the papal itinerary and the significance of his gestures during the visit. Late Breaking Update: Shimon Peres and Mahmoud Abbas ...read more

(Vatican Radio) In contrast to Pope John Paul II, whose memory is still fresh in the minds of many people, the pontificate of “Good Pope John” XXIII may seem like distant history. Pope Francis’ decision to canonize the two together has served as an opportunity for younger Catholics to rediscover the Pope who called the ...read more

This morning in Vatican City, His Holiness Pope Francis held his weekly General Audience in St. Peter’s Square. Arriving by pope mobile, the Holy Father spent over 20 minutes riding through the crowds greeting pilgrims and blessing children. He then ascended the steps of the basilica and opened the general audience. After the gospel was ...read more