Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state for the Holy See, presides over a Mass at the Marian shrine in Berdychiv, Ukraine. Sent by Pope Francis to visit the country, he encouraged the faithful “not to lose faith even if it seems that evil has the upper hand.” By Antonella Palermo Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of…
Vatican news The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem calls on Christians in the Holy Land to step back from political discussions at this time of bloodshed and continued sadness and to pray together. By Linda Bordoni “We must leave politics behind, we must come together and pray together. Now that the wounds are bleeding, it is…
Based on the new norms on the alleged apparitions, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has published its decision on the spiritual fruits deriving from the alleged apparitions to Cosimo Fragomeni in Calabria. Vatican News “In the secularized world in which we live, in which so many people spend their lives without any…
Vatican news Pope Francis publishes his prayer intention for the month of July and invites Christians to pray that the Church shows God's closeness to those suffering from illness. By Devin Watkins “Let us pray that the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may grant the strength of the Lord to those who receive…
In a message for Sea Sunday, Cardinal Michael Czerny writes that sailors experience the “limitless beauty” of the seas, as well as their “physical, spiritual and social darkness.” By Joseph Tulloch On the second Sunday of July each year, the Catholic Church celebrates Sea Sunday, praying and defending the cause of sailors. Ahead of this…
Vatican news Pope Francis greets a delegation from the Hong Kong Christian Council and prays for Christian unity with members of the delegation. By Linda Bordoni Pope Francis received a delegation from the Hong Kong Christian Council on Wednesday and reflected on how, as Christians, we are called to move forward together on the path…
For the month of May dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Vatican Museums offer every Wednesday and Saturday a visit to the Pope's gardens dedicated to Marian spirituality. By Paolo Ondarza “The only way to stop the war is through forgiveness!” The message of the Virgin Mary is both disturbing and clear. Throughout history, she…
In view of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations (April 21), we asked a few questions to Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy. Called to be happyInterview with Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik By Andrea MondaDirector of L'Osservatore Romano What is vocation? Before thinking about any religious or spiritual dimension,…
Vatican news Pope Francis follows the Stations of the Cross celebrated at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday from his residence at Casa Santa Marta, while leading the faithful in reflection on our Christian path of prayer. By Devin Watkins “We are now taking advantage of this time to be with you. We want…
Pope Francis presides over a penitential liturgy at St. Pius V Parish in Rome to open the 24 Hours for the Lord initiative, and says confession puts us back on the path to a new life that began at baptism. By Christopher Wells Confession, the sacrament of God's forgiveness, allows us to begin the path…