ReflectionsFeatureVer2

Bring Mary's gratitude and hope into the new year, Pope Francis says

On New Year's Eve, believers and non-believers alike give thanks for all they have received in the last 12 months and express their hopes for the coming year, but Christians are called to cultivate their gratitude and hope following the example of Mary, Pope Francis said.

  • January 2, 2024

At Christmas, God shows love through 'littleness,' not power, Pope Francis says

More than two millennia after the Holy Family was denied a room at the inn and Jesus was born in a manger, war once again renders his birthplace in the Holy Land inhospitable, Pope Francis said.

  • December 27, 2023

Pope Francis condemns targeting of unarmed civilians in Gaza

Pope Francis condemned the Israeli military's killing of two Christian women sheltering at a Catholic parish in Gaza and an attack on a convent, noting that in the current fighting "unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire."

  • December 18, 2023

Pope Francis again calls for release of hostages in Gaza, discusses aid with Biden

Pope Francis called for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss the humanitarian crisis and the need to de-escalate violence in the region.

  • October 23, 2023

Saying terrorism, war solve nothing, Pope Francis prays for peace

"War is a defeat," Pope Francis insisted as he called for prayers for peace in Israel and Palestine.

  • October 10, 2023

Pope Francis entrusts prayers for peace to Mary, assumed into heaven

On the feast of Mary's assumption into heaven, Pope Francis entrusted to her people's prayers for peace, especially in Ukraine.

  • August 15, 2023

On flight to Rome, Pope Francis responds to questions about abuse, his health

After a five-day trip to Portugal, which recently came to terms with its own clerical sex abuse crisis, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church must abandon its practice of covering up abuse and instead be "very open" about how it is confronting the crime.

  • August 8, 2023

In Portugal for WYD, pope urges Europe to recover its 'youthful heart'

Arriving at the edge of the European continent for World Youth Day, Pope Francis urged Portuguese officials to return to their maritime roots by setting sail toward new horizons of hope and helping build a Europe "capable of recovering its youthful heart."

  • August 2, 2023

Pope to Russia: Destroying grain, creating hunger is 'grave offense to God'

Destroying grain is a "grave offense to God," Pope Francis said, appealing to authorities in Russia as "my brothers" and urging them to resume cooperating with a United Nations' initiative to guarantee the safe transport of grain out of Ukraine.

  • July 31, 2023

Pope Francis on Pentecost: Synod is journey in the Spirit, not 'a parliament'

The Catholic Church's current Synod of Bishops should not be a "parliament for demanding rights," but a "journey in accordance with the Spirit," Pope Francis said.

  • May 29, 2023