At 3:40 pm this afternoon, Pope Francis went paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the highest theological and religious institution of Sunni Islam in the world and the oldest Islamic University. Upon his arrival, the Pope was received at the entrance by the Vicar of the Grand Imam who accompanied him ...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

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

I'm a firm believer that the more we understand the faith of our elder brothers and sisters, the more we will come to understand and deepen our own faith. I hope that this series brings you closer to the beautiful mystery of Easter. ...read more

During the Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father gave an unscripted homily. The Pope’s Easter message “Urbi et Orbi” is given to the world at the end of mass, from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica. Here is the English language translation of the “Urbi et Orbi” message: Dear Brothers ...read more

I wonder why in English we don’t refer to Easter as “Passover”. I suspect that for the first Christians, “Passover” is what it was all about. ...read more

At 8:30 pm on Holy Saturday evening, Pope Francis presided in the Vatican Basilica at the Solemn Easter Vigil in this holy night. The ritual began in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica with the blessing of fire and preparation of the paschal candle. The procession to the main altar with the lighted Paschal candle and ...read more

Good Friday – Passion of the Lord Way of the Cross, Led by His Holiness Pope Francis Meditations by Anne-Marie Pelletier Introduction The hour has now come. Jesus’ journey along the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, an endless encounter with afflicted bodies and hearts, a journey driven by his urgent need to proclaim the ...read more

On Good Friday at 5:00 p.m., Rome time in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. During the Liturgy of the Word, the Passion according to the Gospel of John was proclaimed. This was followed by the homily delivered by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. ...read more

Here is a Zenit translation of the text of the homily Pope Francis gave off-the-cuff after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel. ...read more