Don’t be “halfway Christians” who accept Christ, but then start looking for excuses and stammering, the Pope said this week during Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

Pope Francis met members of the Rome-based lay association Seguimi (‘Follow Me’) on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

In a letter to the bishops of Nigeria, Pope Francis assured his prayers and solidarity with the African nation which is suffering from violent attacks by the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Each year, Project Compassion, which runs through the six weeks of Lent, brings hundreds of thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world’s poor.

Pope Francis has last week sent out 31 families to preach in secularised areas around the world, at a meeting with thousands of members of the Neocatechumenal Way, including 200 missio ad gentes families.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, announced recently that the parents of St Therese of Lisieux, Louis and Zelie Martin, will be canonised this October.

Each year, Project Compassion, which runs through the six weeks of Lent, brings hundreds of thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world’s poor.

An estimated 400 families have fled following assault by extremists. Forces of ISIS have attacked Christian Assyrian villages in north-eastern Syria, in the region of Khabour in the Hassake governorate.

Each year, Project Compassion, which runs through the six weeks of Lent, brings hundreds of thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world’s poor.

Dear Brothers and Sister, Lent is a time of renewal for the whole Church, for all communities and every believer.