“With a smile, Pope John Paul I managed to communicate the goodness of the Lord. How beautiful is a church with a happy, serene and smiling face, a church that never closes doors, never hardens hearts, never complains or harbors resentment, does not grow angry or impatient, does not look dour or suffer nostalgia for the past,” Pope Francis has said.

In his homily at the Mass with the College of Cardinals this week, Pope Francis reflected on the first reading from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, in which the apostle praises God for revealing “the mystery of his purpose” and his “hidden plan” for humanity.

To enter the plan God proposes for our life requires that we restrict the space of selfishness, reduce the presumption of self-sufficiency and lower the heights of pride and arrogance, Pope Francis has said in his weekly Sunday Angelus audience.

World Youth Day 2023 is coming! Catholic Youth Ministry Perth has now commenced planning for the August 2023 international event. World Youth Day (WYD) is the gathering of young people with the Pope from all over the world. It is also a pilgrimage, a celebration of youth, an expression of the universal Church and an intense moment of evangelisation for youth around the world. ...

Prefect for the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini has this week said the paradox of today is that “we are hyperconnected and also alone”. The problem arises, he highlighted, “when there is no longer communication, but only connection.”

“The conceit of stopping time — of wanting eternal youth, unlimited well-being, absolute power — is not only impossible, it is delusional,” he said. The Holy Father continued his series of talks on old age and reflected on Jesus’ farewell to his disciples during the Last Supper, in which he promised to “prepare a place” for them.

In his first general audience following a month long summer break, Pope Francis has
reflected on his recent visit to Canada, which he said was “unlike the other journeys” he has made.

“If we want to be reconciled with one another and with ourselves, to be reconciled with the past, our eyes must be lifted to the crucified Jesus,” Pope Francis said.

Speaking ahead of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, to be celebrated Sunday 24 July, the Holy Father said elderly men and women often have “a special sensitivity for care, for reflection and affection” that is sorely needed in today’s war-torn world

In a statement issued this week, the Vatican has issued new rules that will ensure that Vatican owned investments will contribute “to a more just and sustainable world” and protect “the real value of the Holy See’s net worth and generate a sufficient return to sustainably contribute to the financing of its activities”.