The highlight of Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Fatima was the canonization Mass on Saturday morning, during which the two shepherd children, Blessed Francisco and Blessed Jacinta were proclaimed saints. During his homily the Pope said, “we can take as our examples Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta, whom the Virgin Mary introduced into the immense ocean of ...read more

This evening the Holy Father went to the Chapel of the Apparitions in the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima where the Blessing of the Candles took place. After a moment of silent Prayer and meditation, the Pope blessed the candles, then he pronounced welcoming words for the pilgrims and introduced the Prayer of the ...read more

At 1:15 (EST), during his pilgrimage to Fatima, Pope Francis visits the Chapel of the Apparition, surrounded by a thousand children. After few minutes of silent prayer in front of the Madonna, he pronounces the Prayer below. At the end of it the Holy Father gives the Golden Rose as a gift to the Virgin ...read more

A political prisoner of the Communist regime for thirteen years, nine of which he spent in solitary confinement, Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan’s experience is a powerful testimony of faith in the Eucharist and in the power of forgiveness and the redemptive value of the cross. Cardinal Van Thuan’s writings and spiritual insights written in ...read more

Pope Francis’ final event in Egypt was a prayer meeting with clergy, men and women religious and seminarians. Read the full text of his prepared remarks: Your Beatitudes, Dear Brothers and Sisters, As-salamu alaykum! Peace be with you! “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in him! Christ is forever victorious over ...read more

At the end of the courtesy Visit to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Cairo, Pope Francis Francesco and Pope Tawadros II signed the following Joint Declaration: Common Declaration of His Holiness Francis and His Holiness Tawadros II We, Francis, Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church, and ...read more

On Friday, April 28, 2017 Pope Francis paid a courtesy visit to Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic-Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Below, find the full text of his prepared remarks: The Lord is risen, he is truly risen! [Al Massih kam, bilhakika kam!] Your Holiness, Dear Brother, Only a short time has passed since ...read more

The Pope’s agenda this week includes his apostolic and symbolic visit to Egypt. Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office, affirmed the Pope Francis’ will to send out a positive message. “He is serene, and not naive, because he knows the situation in Egypt,” Burke told Vatican Radio. “He knows what happened to the Copts ...read more

The theme of the congress is “Catholic Action is Mission, with all and for all” and it is organized by the Catholic Action International Forum and by Catholic Action Italy, in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Laity, Family and Life. Watch the broadcast on S+L TV. ...read more

Sebastian Gomes shares two reasons why you should follow Pope Francis’ trip to Egypt very closely. Learn more about #PopeInEgypt! Pope Francis to Visit Egypt Also, Carl Hétu, Director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association in Canada, sat down with Sebastian last week to discuss the current political and social landscape while looking ahead to Francis’ ...read more