Pope Francis celebrated the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021 and decreed that it be observed each year on the Sunday closest to the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, Jesus’ grandparents.

Dressed in purple vestments to mark the Lenten season, Pope Francis said Lent is a chance for Christians to ensure their relationship with God “is not reduced to mere outward show.”

An illustration by Mauro Pallet “Maupal” is seen in this poster released during a news conference about Pope Francis’ Lent 2024 message at the Vatican on Thursday 1 February 2024. Lent 2024 begins on 14 February, Ash Wednesday, and concludes on Holy Thursday 28 March. Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez By Carol Glatz Lent is a time to free oneself from slavery and take action to free others suffering...

Parish representatives came together in July 2018 as part of formation sessions for the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia. As part of the Synod of Bishops, groups of Catholics will gather and reflect on the question of “enhancing the differentiated co-responsibility in the mission of all members” and provide feedback. Photo: Jamie O’Brien. By Contributor Catholics around Australia are ...

By Carol Glatz A woman pushing a patient in a wheelchair is seen in this screen grab from a video from The Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. In the video, Pope Francis says people who are terminally ill and their families should always receive the care and assistance they need. For the month of February, the network is asking Catholics to pray for those who are terminally ill. Photo: CNS/The...

An Adobe AI generated image of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd taking care of a lamb. By Justin McLellan While artificial intelligence can be a formidable tool to facilitate communication and exchange information, it cannot provide the uniquely human wisdom needed to promote the good of people and their communities, Pope Francis said. "No doubt, machines possess a limitlessly greate...

Pope Francis talks to visitors during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall for at the Vatican on 24 January 2024. Photo: CNS/Lola Gomez. By Carol Glatz With little fanfare, Pope Francis officially opened the Year of Prayer after Mass for the church's celebration of Sunday of the Word of God. "Today we begin the Year of Prayer; that is, a year dedicated to rediscov...

The appointment is in conjunction with Archbishop Costelloe’s concurrent appointments as a Member of the Preparatory Commission, and as one of the nine President Delegates to the Synod.

Pope Francis said that the power of St John’s preaching is linked to the silence he experienced in the desert, which allowed him to listen to the Holy Spirit.

By Carol Glatz Pope Francis smiles after delivering his speech by video from the Vatican to religious leaders attending the inauguration of the Faith Pavilion at the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on 3 December, 2023. Pope Francis cancelled his trip to Dubai because of a bronchial infection. Photo: CNS/Vatican Media The world needs people to build alliances ...