In his 2025 message for Lent, Pope Francis emphasised the continuous call to conversion—turning back to God and embracing a life that reflects our faith’s ideals.

Caritas Australia has announced the launch of Project Compassion 2025, its Lenten fundraising and awareness appeal. Annually, 1,700 schools and 1,200 parishes across Australia take part, with Caritas Australia calling on the community to Unite Against Poverty for Project Compassion this year.

Cathedral Dean, Rev Dr Sean Fernandez distributes ashes, Wednesday 14 February at the 12.10pm Mass at St Mary's Cathedral, marking the start of the season of Lent. Photo: Ron Tan. Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Peter Whitely, distributes ashes on Wednesday 14 February. Photo: Ron Tan. Cathedral Sacristan Frances Dennis distributes ashes on Wednesday 14 February. Photo: Ron Tan. Rev De...

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...

“We Catholics believe, that is, we know with the certainty of our faith, that in Jesus we have so much more than a really good man who lived a wonderful life and left us a remarkable legacy and a powerful teaching,” said Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, speaking on Palm Sunday, 2 April.

Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation was founded by five Elders from Western Sydney – home to one of the largest urban First Australian populations in Australia.

The Synod’s General Secretariat has published Lenten resources in multiple languages for use around the world as the continental stage of the Synod continues. Photo: Adobe

The Holy Father explained that witnessing the “light of holiness” radiated by Christ is not a “magical moment” outside of time but is what gives the disciples “the strength to follow him to Jerusalem, to the cross.”

Lent is the time, Pope Francis has said, “to proclaim that God alone is Lord, to drop the pretence of being self-sufficient and the need to put ourselves at the centre of things, to be the top of the class, to think that by our own abilities we can succeed in life and transform the world around us.”