In conjunction with the 71st National Liturgical Week in Cremona, Italy, the Vatican Secretary of State on behalf of Pope Francis, reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic confirmed changes previously underway in people’s understanding and participation in Sunday Mass. By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service.
Mary’s assumption into Heaven reminds people that they are also called by God to eternal life in Heaven through humility and serving him, Pope Francis said on the Feast of the Assumption. By Carol Glatz.
Pope Francis is continuing to recover following surgery for diverticular stenosis performed on the evening of 4 July. The second morning after surgery, the Holy Father read the newspapers and got out of bed to walk and his routine follow-up exams are good. By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service.
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.