I couldn’t help but notice that there wasn’t much secular news coverage of this year’s World Youth Day celebration in Lisbon. Maybe it’s because the media couldn’t twist Pope Francis’ words out of context as easily as they usually do with our Holy Father? Throughout the week, Pope Francis shared some really powerful words with […]

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected Pope on March 13, 2013, during the season of Lent. Each year, during this season of the Church, Pope Francis provides wisdom and encouragement for our Lenten journey. Today, we present a Lent quote from each year of Pope Francis’ papacy to inspire and guide us on our Lenten journey. […]

What is Desiderio desideravi? Desiderio desideravi, the title of Pope Francis’ 2022 document on the Sacred Liturgy, comes from the Latin version of Luke 22:15: “I have earnestly desired (desiderio desideravi) to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Pope Francis begins this beautiful and relatively short reflection on the beauty, goodness, and truth […]

On May 15, 2022, Pope Francis introduced ten new Saints to the Catholic Church. Each of these holy men and women are powerful examples of lives dedicated to God through service, faith, and love. At the canonization Mass, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that all are called to become saints. “Being disciples of Jesus and […]

We know the Pope as someone who inspires the world, but have you ever wondered who inspires the Pope? Did you know that the Pope has an official preacher? If that’s news to you, you’re not alone! This unique position has existed since 1555, with each apostolic preacher serving for 3−5 years. Every pope personally […]

Traditionis Custodes Early on July 16, 2021, Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio entitled Traditionis Custodes which sent shockwaves through the Catholic world, especially in more traditionalist circles. For a brief first look at what the document says, please click here. The internet was certainly abuzz with the reactions of various prelates and commentators on July 16, 2021. […]

Pope Francis released a motu proprio on Friday, July 16, 2021, entitled Traditionis Custodes (“Guardians of Tradition”). This document will almost certainly be interpreted differently depending on the perspective of the reader. Those who currently and regularly attend the “Traditional Latin Mass” will see it as an attack. Those who do not understand the attraction […]

Fratelli Tutti Fratelli Tutti is the latest encyclical of Pope Francis. Fratelli Tutti draws its name from the “Admonitions” of St. Francis of Assisi who reminded his friars that all men are brothers in being created by the same Creator. As human beings, men and women are brothers and sisters, by nature.  An encyclical is […]

Pope Francis recently named new cardinals, but not all of them are bishops…is that even allowed? Well actually, in the history of the Church, it’s not that uncommon. Fr. George explains the history of cardinals and what their function is today. We also learn about some little known details about bishops – blessings and palliums […]

“I remember once how my mother was asked which of her five children – we are five brothers – did she love the most. And she said: it is like the fingers on my hand, if I prick one of them, then it is as if the others are pricked also. A mother loves her […]

Pope Francis has been known to go to great lengths to engage with the culture.  For the first time in history, our Holy Father will star in a documentary, “Pope Francis: A Man Of His Word”, which opens in theaters nationwide on May 18th. Award-winning German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire, The Buena Vista Social […]

There are really no words to add to this incredibly moving video of the Holy Father responding to the question of a young boy who wanted to know if his father non-believing father is now in heaven. The beauty, the gentleness, the compassion of Pope Francis should be imitated by all Catholics. Is My Dad […]

On Thursday, six astronauts aboard the International Space Station had the opportunity to speak with Pope Francis in a video conference call.  This is the second time that a Pope has had the opportunity to connect with astronauts while in space. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was the first to do so in 2011. These connections […]

What does a Pope pray before bed? Pope Francis’ bedtime prayer is one that we can all easily incorporate into our nightly routine. With the beautiful simplicity of this prayer, we can teach our children to come before the Cross of Christ and meditate on what He has done for us. “In the evening before […]

On Wednesday, May 24th, United States President Donald Trump proclaimed that Memorial Day (May 29th) will be a Day of Prayer for Permanent Peace. It’s no coincidence that he initiated this day of prayer on the same day that he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. During their meeting, Pope Francis encouraged President Trump to […]

The Pope Francis TED talk is trending all over the news today. Filmed at the Vatican, the talk debuted during TED’s international conference in Vancouver on Tuesday night. It was a surprise for all who attended. Media coverage from CNN to the Huffington Post has been incredibly positive for the 17-minute talk. Many are deeply impressed […]

It has always been a common practice for the Pope to meet with world leaders such as politicians and religious figures, but Pope Francis seems to have made a commitment to including celebrities and athletes on his busy meeting agenda. Though I can only speculate on the reasons behind this, I don’t doubt it is […]

Pope Francis surprised American Football fans (and – perhaps – commercial junkies?) from across the globe when, in an historic first for a Roman Pontiff, he addressed Super Bowl viewers on Sunday, February 5th. Reiterating his favorite themes of solidarity, the Holy Father called on fans and participants in sport to “build a culture of […]

2016 was a busy year for Pope Francis and he has hardly slowed down in the first month of the new year! The past year in the Church was graced with love and mercy, much needed in our world today. World Youth Day events and the canonization of new saints (especially Saint Teresa of Calcutta) […]

Pope Francis began a letter to address young people by stating, “I want you to be the center of attention because you are in my heart.” This letter serves as an invitation to all young people to place their trust in Jesus who will guide them to fulfillment through their faith and vocational journey. 4 […]

This recent ad, made by a film student and ignored by the brand it was created to promote, is so profound and moving that it’s not hard to see why it’s gone viral. It tells the tale of an aged marathon runner waiting out his final years in a care home. We see him listless […]

In case you hadn’t noticed, we’ve just had a Year of Mercy! It ends pretty soon, on November 20th. Maybe, like me, you start out on these extraordinary years full of interest and hope and enthusiasm, and get to the end a little worn out with the repetition of it and ready to find the […]

In the midst of trials and arguments, it is often too quickly forgotten that marriage is a covenant bond between spouses which is sealed by God.  When two people grow apart in a marriage, the easy solution might appear to be to get a divorce. However,  the scripture is clear that “what God has joined, […]

Landon LaChance is a sweet eleven-year-old boy with a rare genetic disease called neurofibromatosis that causes his skin to change color and may also cause non-cancerous tumors.  When Make-A-Wish gave him the opportunity to have a wish granted his request was not what most boys his age would have wanted. It wasn’t a trip to Disney […]

Money can buy happiness? As Fr. Mike Schmitz points out, yes, money actually can buy happiness if you spend it on other people. Spending money on other people can “buy happiness” because it doesn’t have to do with the money—it has to do with gratitude, sharing, charity, helping others meet their needs, surprising someone with […]