In the words of Pope Francis

The pope writes a letter to families asking them to pray for the next synod

Pope Francis mentioned the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in a letter wrote to all families asking them to pray for the Catholic Church's deliberations on the family this fall at the Vatican.

A world where everyone can live with dignity

Vatican City, 16 October 2013 (VIS) – The Holy Father has written a message to Jose Graziano de Silva, director general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the occasion of World Food Day, celebrated every year on October 16 to mark the foundation of the FAO, and which this year focuses […]

The Church is holy, and open to all, not only the pure

Vatican City, 2 October 2013 (VIS) – The holiness of the Church was the theme chosen by Francis for his catechesis during today's general audience, which took place in St. Peter's Square and was attended by more than 50,000 people.

The Internet must transmit a church which is home to all

Vatican City, 21 September 2013 (VIS) – The Pontifical Council for Social Communications, whose president is Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, held its plenary assembly from 19 to 21 September, on the theme of “The internet and the Church.” This morning the participants in the meeting were received in audience by the Pope who, in his […]

Pope Francis tells new bishops: Avoid scandal of being ‘airport bishops’

Vatican City, 19 September 2013 (VIS) – At midday, in the Sala Clementina of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father received in audience the recently appointed bishops who will participate in the congress organised by the Congregation for Bishops and the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. Francis encouraged the bishops, in the words of […]

Keep praying — the search for peace is long

Vatican City, 8 September 2013 (VIS) – “I would like to thank everyone who, in various ways, joined in the Vigil of Prayer and Fasting yesterday evening. I thank the many people who united the offering of their sufferings. I express my gratitude to the civil authorities, as well as to the members of other […]

Angelus: War against evil means saying no to fratricidal hate and all forms of violence

Vatican City, 8 September 2013 (VIS) – Pope Francis, following yesterday’s fast and prayer vigil for peace in Syria, the Middle East and all over the world, returned to the theme of peace during the Angelus at midday today. He commented on today’s Gospel reading in which Jesus states the condition for his disciples: to […]

Pope writes to Vladimir Putin: G20 countries must not remain inert before the drama in Syria

Vatican City, 5 September 2013 (VIS) – Pope Francis has sent a message to the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, who will preside over the forthcoming meeting of the G20 group representing the world's largest economies.

Appeal for Syria and the Middle East: Raise a cry for peace

Vatican City, 4 September 2013 (VIS) – “This coming Saturday we will experience together a special day of fasting and prayer for pace in Syria, the Middle East”, said the Pope at the end of the catechesis of today’s general audience. “I renew my invitation to all the Church to live this day intensely, and […]

Pope establishes group to reform economic-administrative structure of the Holy See

Vatican City, 19 July 2013 (VIS) – Pope Francis has written a Chirograph, dated 18 July, by which he establishes a Pontifical Commission for Reference on the study and guidance of the organisation of the economic-administrative structure of the Holy See, the full text of which is given below: “The deliberations of these days on […]