Pope Francis announces twenty new Cardinals during Sunday Angelus – January 4, 2015 At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis announced the names of fifteen Archbishops and Bishops whom he will raise to the dignity of the Cardinalate on February 14, 2015. In addition, the Holy Father announced that five retired Archbishops and Bishops “distinguished ...read more

In his Angelus address on the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God – which is also observed as World Day of Peace – Pope Francis called on us “to fix our gaze of faith and of love on the Mother of Jesus.” Below, please find the complete text of Pope Francis’ address at the ...read more

On January 1, the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Pope Francis celebrated Solemn Mass in the Basilica of Saint Peter. Below, please find the complete text of the Pope’s homily for the Mass: Today we are reminded of the words of blessing which Elizabeth spoke to the Virgin Mary: “Blessed are you among ...read more

Pope Francis’ ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Address on Christmas Day 2014 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy Christmas! Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, is born for us, born in Bethlehem of a Virgin, fulfilling the ancient prophecies. The Virgin’s name is Mary, the wife of Joseph. Humble people, full of hope in ...read more

December 24, 2014 At 9:30 p.m. Rome time, Pope Francis presides at the Christmas Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. The full text of his homily is found below. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land ...read more

On Christmas Eve Pope Francis leads the church in celebrating the birth of Christ with Mass at The Vatican. S+L brings you full coverage with English commentary. Wednesday, Dec 24 3:30 pm ET / 12:30pm PT ...read more

World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 Released the Official Hymn for September 2015 Event The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 released the Official Hymn for the 2015 world meeting of families, held September 22-27 2015, and featuring Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States. The hymn, titled “Sound the Bell of Holy Freedom,” ...read more

Pope Francis final meeting in Turkey was with a group of 50 young people, including many refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries of the Middle East and Africa.  The young refugees are cared for by the local Salesian community in Istanbul. The Salesian Oratory (Youth Center) in Istambul is headed by Salesian Fr. Andres ...read more

Deacon-structing Vocations: The Religious Life. ...read more

Below you will find the full text of the Common Declaration of Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, signed at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Phanar (Istanbul), on Sunday, November 30, 2014, Feast of St. Andrew:  We, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, express our profound gratitude to God for the gift of this new ...read more