Holy Father

Pope denounces “slanderous communication” of dictatorships

In his homily at Mass at Casa Santa Marta, June 18, the Pope spoke about the devastating power of slanderous communication used by dictators against others. It is something that happens even today. If you want to destroy institutions or people, you start by speaking ill of them.  This is the “slanderous communication” that Pope Francis exhorted Christians [...]

The Kingdom of God grows mysteriously

On Sunday, before thousands gathered in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis explains the two parables about the Kingdom of God from the Gospel of the day before the recitation of the Angelus. Pope Francis reflected on the two parables regarding the “Kingdom of God and its dynamic growth” from the Sunday Gospel (Mark 4:26-34) before reciting the Angelus on [...]

Pope clears seven candidates for sainthood and beatification

Pope Francis on June 8 authorized the promulgation of four decrees concerning 7 candidates for beatification and canonization. Pope Francis on Friday cleared an Italian layman for sainthood and another three from Mexico, Spain and a group martyred in Argentina were cleared for beatification. Pope Francis on June 8 received in audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation for [...]

‘God’s love has no need for words but for concrete gestures’

Pope Francis on Friday reflected on how God’s love has no limits. Speaking during the homily at morning Mass, he said His greatness is manifested in small things and tenderness. Marking the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis remarked on how it could be said that the festivity celebrates God's [...]

‘We are called to be gifts for others’

Pope Francis dedicated his catechesis on Wednesday to the Sacrament of Confirmation, a gift – he said – that in turn enables us to become a gift for others. Pope Francis urged Christians who receive the many gifts of the Holy Spirit to give back to others, and not to keep those gifts only for themselves “as [...]

Communion for Protestants married to Catholics requires further study

A letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sheds light on Pope Francis’ position regarding the Eucharist in inter-communion marriages. The issue has been raised by the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference and regards an ecumenical theme that concerns the Universal Church. Pope Francis has invited German bishops to await legislation that is applicable to the whole [...]

‘May the Holy Spirit unite what is still divided’

Pope Francis urged members of the German Lutheran Church, whom he received in the Vatican, to continue walking the path to unity. Receiving a Delegation of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in audience, Pope Francis on Monday recalled his positive 2016 visit to Lund in Sweden to mark the Common Commemoration of the Reformation. Pointing out that “for the [...]

‘Eucharist burns away selfish attitudes’

At the Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis reflects on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, saying the Eucharist burns away our selfish attitudes and unites us perfectly to Jesus. Pope Francis at the Sunday Angelus said the feast of Corpus Christi is “a mystery of being drawn to [...]

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