At the Al-Fida’ Square of Sakhir Royal Palace on November 4, Pope Francis addressed the “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence.” He said that Forum participants “are here together because we all intend to set sail on the same waters, choosing the route of encounter rather than that of confrontation.” He ...read more

At the Sakhir Palace in Awali on November 3, Pope Francis addressed the civil authorities and diplomatic corps of Bahrain. He thought of the country’s “Tree of Life,” a national symbol and “emblem of vitality,” which inspired his reflections on “the themes of respect, tolerance and religious freedom,” on the global labour crisis, the environment ...read more

I have many friends who do not participate in Halloween activities. They refuse to do so because they believe that Halloween is a pagan holiday. Some even go as far as saying that it is a Satanic feast. I’ve always felt that there’s nothing wrong with participating in Halloween activities. After all, I don’t believe ...read more

  When Churches Apologize by Sr. Donna Geernaert, SC   Pope Francis Apologizes on behalf of the Catholic Church On two occasions this past year, Pope Francis has expressed his deep sorrow for the pain and trauma suffered by former students of residential schools and their descendants. At the end of March, he met with ...read more

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis is set to make a four-day visit to Bahrain, a journey that will make him the first pope to visit the Arab kingdom just off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf. The visit Nov. 3-6 has two main goals: to speak at the Bahrain Forum for ...read more

If you’re in the Church, it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore our missionary call. This something Pope Francis has continually talked about since his first year of papacy: go out to the peripheries; get out of the sacristies; go and make disciples of all nations. In a way, the ground was prepared by Pope ...read more

  On Thursday, September 15, Pope Francis addressed the the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Nur-Sultan following the reading of a final declaration. He thanks leaders for the time they have taken to participate in this critical dialogue.   Read the full text of his address ...read more

  On the morning of Thursday, September 15, during his apostolic visit to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis Pope spoke during a meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers at the cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Nur-Sultan, encouraging all to embrace their faith with joy.   Read the full text ...read more

  On Wednesday, September 14, during his apostolic visit to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis addressed leaders of world and traditional faiths as they meet for the socio-spiritual development of humanity after the pandemic. He notes that he hopes the journey of religions may be increasingly marked by friendship.   Read the full text of the words ...read more

  On Wednesday, September 14, the second day of his visit to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis participated in Mass at the Expo Grounds in Nur-Sultan, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Pope Francis speaks to the joyful witness of life we have as Christians by meditating upon the cross of Christ.   ...read more