Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH), Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) are inviting Catholics to mark St Bakhita Day on 8 February and at weekend Masses on 9 and 10 February.

Pope Francis twirls a football presented by a member of CirCuba, the Cuban national circus, during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican on 2 January. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Cindy Wooden Christians are not better than other people, Pope Francis said, but they do know that God is their Father and they are called “to reflect a ray of his goodness in this world thirsting for ...

Pope Francis greets the audience during the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 16 December. Photo: Giuseppe Lami/EPA. By Carol Glatz With Christmas in our midst, visitors came to St Peter’s Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the Holy Father. Many children came with small figurines for their family Nativity scene, others held delicate...

Pope Francis is pictured through the Christmas tree as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 8 December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Advent is a time for people to think about what they can change about themselves so that they can sow the seeds of peace, justice and fraternity i...

Western Australia lieutenant Jack Gardner KC*HS greets Pope Francis on 16 November in Rome. Photo: Servizio Fotografico L’Osservatore Romano. By Matthew Lau Pope Francis inspired the world’s lieutenants during a quinquennial meeting in Rome on 16 November, influencing them to place the evangelical love of thy neighbour as the final aim of their works. The Holy Father encouraged the...

In this 2016 file photo, Pope Francis walks with World Youth Day pilgrims as he arrives for a prayer vigil at the Field of Mercy in Krakow, Poland. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Junno Arocho Esteves In a video message to young men and women around the world, Pope Francis called on them to provoke an uprising of change by serving others. In helping those who are suffering, both young belie...

Pope Francis shakes hands with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin during a private audience at the Vatican on 15 November. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Pope Francis welcomed Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to the Vatican on 15 November for a private discussion that included the importance of building greater trust between Israelis and Palestinians. During their 35-minute meeting...

Pope Francis kisses a baby during his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 7 November. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Life is for loving, not amassing possessions, Pope Francis said on 7 November during his weekly general audience. In fact, the true meaning and purpose of wealth is to use it to lovingly serve others and promote human dignity, the Holy Father ...

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the feast of All Souls on 2 November at Laurentino Cemetery in Rome. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Cindy Wooden The Mass for the feast of All Souls is “realistic, concrete” in calling Catholics to remember the people and events of their past, to consider how they live today and to hope for eternal life with God and their loved ones who preceded them, Pope Fran...

Pope Francis holds his pastoral staff as he celebrates the closing Mass of the Synod of Bishops on young people, the faith and vocational discernment in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on 28 October. Photo: Paul Haring/CNS. By Carol Glatz Speaking on behalf of all adult Catholics, Pope Francis formally closed the Synod of Bishops by asking young people for forgiveness. “Forgive us i...