Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday – the XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time and the first-ever World Day of the Poor – in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Holy Father announced the World Day of the Poor during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, and entrusted its organization and promotion to the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. There were [...]
· With Mass in Saint Peter’s Square the Pope concludes the Extraordinary Jubilee · The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy solemnly concluded with the image of Pope Francis closing the heavy doors of the Vatican Basilica on Sunday morning, 20 November. However, the Pontiff emphasized that “the true door of mercy which is the heart of [...]
May 5, 2016, Thursday -- Pope Francis Celebrated Today in Rome the "Jubilee of Tears" -- For All Who Weep and Are in Need of Consolation... "Jesus wept." —John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible. The verse describes the reaction of Jesus to the news of the death of his friend Lazarus, the brother of [...]
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! In today's Gospel, there is a question posed three times: "What should we do?" (Lk 3,10.12.14). Three categories of people raise it to John the Baptist: first, the crowd in general; second, the publicans, or tax collectors; and, third, some soldiers. Each of these groups questions the prophet on what [...]
In a few moments I will have the joy of opening the Holy Door of Mercy. We carry out this act – as I did in Bangui – so simple yet so highly symbolic, in the light of the word of God which we have just heard. That word highlights the primacy of grace. Again and [...]
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning and Feast! Today, the feast of the Immaculate Conception makes us contemplate Our Lady who, by a singular privilege, was preserved from Original Sin from her conception. Although living in the world marked by sin, she was not touched by it: she is our Sister in suffering, but not in [...]
May the world once again find the way of peace right here “at the threshold of this Jubilee of Mercy”. The Pope voiced this hope on Thursday morning, 19 November, during Mass at Santa Marta. Jesus wept”, said Francis, beginning his homily from the day’s passage of the Gospel according to Luke (19:41-44). Indeed, as “he [...]
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning! With this reflection we have arrived at the threshold of the Jubilee, it is close. Before us is the door, but not only the Holy Door, the other – the great door of God’s Mercy, and it is a beautiful door! – which receives our repentance, offering the grace of [...]
September 1, 2015, Tuesday — Turning Point Introductory note We have just come out with a special 132-page Commemorative Edition of Inside the Vatican magazine, welcoming Pope Francis to America. We would like you to receive and read this issue. All you have to do is click here, order a subscription, and you will receive this [...]
March 13, 2015, Friday — Pope Francis Announces Jubilee Year of Mercy “This is the time of mercy. It is important that the lay faithful live it and bring it into different social environments. Go forth!”—Pope Francis, speaking on New Year's Day, 2015, in words which foreshadowed the announcement today of a Jubilee Year of Mercy [...]