A Christian life should be filled with amazement – astonishment at the son of God suffering and dying for humanity and awe at realising how precious and loved people are in his eyes, Pope Francis said during Palm Sunday Mass for 2021.

The Vatican published Pope Francis’ calendar for Holy Week and Easter, which due to coronavirus restrictions, will be celebrated primarily in St Peter’s Basilica with a very small congregation.

With sporadic violence continuing in Iraq, Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq from 5 to 8 March involved a massive security operation with the deployment of thousands of police and military officers. Even the Vatican police and Swiss Guards wore bulletproof vests under their dark suits, an unusual practice on a papal trip.

The Gospel account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, read each year at the beginning of Lent, is a reminder that following the Lord’s footsteps “is a battle against the spirit of evil,” the Holy Father stated in his 21 February Sunday Angelus address.

Pope Francis’ Lenten message for 2021, released by the Vatican on 12 February, focusses on Lent as “a time for renewing faith, hope and love” through the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And, by going to confession.

The coronavirus pandemic can either be a catalyst for change for the better or it will weaken a world already burdened by global crises, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will today participate in a meeting hosted by the United Nations to mark the first International Day of Human Fraternity. According to a statement published on 1 February by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the Holy Father will take part in the 4 February virtual event, which will be hosted in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince.

The Sunday of the Word of God, instituted by Pope Francis in 2019, is meant to encourage all Catholics to know the Sacred Scriptures and their central role in the life of the church and the Christian faith.

In the age of instant communications and fake news, journalists – like everyone else – need to recover the practice of going out and verifying information before they share it, Pope Francis said. By Cindy Wooden.

Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message and blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) from the Hall of Blessings at the Vatican on 25 December 2020, highlighting his hope that Christmas would be an opportunity for all to rediscover the family as a cradle of life and faith, a place of acceptance and love, dialogue, forgiveness, fraternal solidarity and shared joy, a source of peace for all humanity.