· the General Audience the Pontiff begins a new series of reflections dedicated to hope and asks that no one be excluded from the recognition of human rights · “Hope is the virtue of the little ones”, because “the great ones ... do not know what it is”. Thus, Christian hope is the focal point of the [...]
In a world of orphans, Mary is the mother who fully understands us and defends us, because she too has personally experienced the same humiliations which, for example, are suffered by the mothers of prisoners today. Celebrating Mass in the Chapel of Santa Marta on Thursday morning, 15 September, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, [...]
· May God “disperse every plan of terror and of death, that man no longer dare to shed the blood of a brother” · This was the heartfelt hope with which Pope Francis recalled the “carnage Thursday evening in Nice, which cut short so many innocent lives, even many children”. Greeting the numerous faithful, including a group [...]
The Church must avoid the risk of closing in on itself out of persecution and fear, the Pope said. At the same time, she must be able to see “the small openings through which God can work.” Prayer, he said, “enables grace to open a way out from closure to openness, from fear to courage, from [...]
There are two “attitudes” that are unequivocal “signs” of being a Christian: ‘joyful service’ and “reaching out to others”. In the Mass he celebrated on Tuesday, 31 May, in the Chapel of Santa Marta, Pope Francis offered advice for Christians who “believe they are sufficient” but in reality “are not entirely so”. He invited them to [...]
Icon of Mary Reflecting on Mary’s Blessedness through the Annunciation Thou knowest, O Mary, things kept hid from the patriarchs and prophets. Thou hast learned, O virgin, things which were kept concealed till now from the angels. Thou hast heard, O purest one, things of which even the choir of inspired men was never [...]
“Yes”. For a Christian there is no other response to God’s call. Above all we must never turn away, pretending not to understand. On 4 April, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Lord, during Mass at Santa Marta, the Pope invited a “celebration of the ‘yes’”. On Monday morning, concelebrating with Francis were priests who, [...]
January 1, 2016, Friday -- Pope Begins 2016 with Visit to St. Mary Major "The Son of God, made incarnate for our salvation, has given us his Mother, who joins us on our pilgrimage through this life, so that we may never be left alone, especially at times of trouble and uncertainty."—Pope Francis, at a 5 [...]
Dear brothers and sisters, The Gospel for this Sunday of Advent highlights the person of Mary. We see her when, just after having conceived in faith the Son of God, she takes on the long trip from Nazareth of Galilee to the hill country of Judah, to visit her cousin Elizabeth. The Angel Gabriel had revealed [...]
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 [...]