On October 31, 2016, the Joint Ecumenical Prayer Service took place in the Lutheran Cathedral of Lund. Upon His arrival in the Cathedral, Pope Francis was welcomed by the Primate of the Church of Sweden, Archbishop Antje Jackelen, and the Catholic Bishop of Stockholm, S.E. Mons. Anders Arborelius, both of whom accompanied the Holy Father in ...read more

During the Joint Ecumenical Prayer Service in the Lutheran Cathedral of Lund, Sweden, Pope Francis and Bishop Munib Yunan, President of the Lutheran World Federation, signed the Joint Declaration. The text is found below: Lund, 31 October 2016 «Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself ...read more

When he was elected, Fr. Arturo Sosa was surprised. He said, “I have the feeling I’ll need so much help. It is a big challenge”. But the challenges awaiting him do not weigh only on his shoulders. He will do his best, as he’s expressed “it is not the work of one person, but the work ...read more

After announcing 13 new cardinals two weeks ago, the Pope presided over the canonization mass of seven blessed on Sunday, October 16, 2016, in front of 80,000 people, who filled St. Peter’s Square for the occasion. Speaking of the new saints, during his homily, the pontiff said the saints are men and women who enter fully into the ...read more

Last Sunday during the Angelus, Pope Francis announced thirteen new cardinals from eleven different nations, plus four non-electors. The consistory, where they will be made cardinals, will be held on November 19th, the day before the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. “I will choose the Cardinals a little everywhere, because the Church is ...read more

Look to the model of Mary Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the Marian Jubilee on Sunday as part of the celebrations for the Year of Mercy. In his homily he told the faithful present in St Peter’s Square that, “we are given a model, indeed the model, to whom we can look: Mary, our Mother.” ...read more

At 17:30 on Saturday evening, in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis presided over the Holy Rosary on the occasion of the Marian Jubilee being held from October 7-9, 2016 in the context of the celebrations of the Jubilee of Mercy. Before the arrival of the Pope, Those present took part in a moment animation with ...read more

On Saturday, October 8, 2016, Pope Francis will preside at the Marian Vigil in the Jubilee of Mercy, after the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary. This opportunity for prayer will include Marian songs and prayers, during which there will be a procession of delegations from national communities in Italy and from Marian Shrines. ...read more

Last Tuesday, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy, Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the areas affected by the earthquake last August. The Holy Father arrived in Amatrice, before going to Arquata, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, explaining his visit with these words: “I thought long and hard ...read more

On Wednesday, October 5, 2016, Pope Francis met with the Participants at the First World Conference on Faith and Sports, promoted by the Pontifical Council of Culture together with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee. Below, find the full text of his prepared remarks: Dear brothers and sisters, I am delighted to greet you, protagonists ...read more