The Vatican released the following message this evening following the massive tornado that struck Oklahoma yeserday.

Message sent through the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington to the Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City

(21 May 2013)

The Holy Father has followed with deep concern the aftermath of the devastating tornado which has struck Oklahoma and he asks you convey to the entire community the assurance of his solidarity and closeness in prayer. Conscious of the tragic loss of life and the immensity of the work of rebuilding that lies ahead, he asks Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the departed, comfort to the afflicted, and strength and hope to the...READ MORE

To emphasise the centrality of the Eucharist during this Year of Faith, an hour of Eucharistic Adoration will take place worldwide on Sunday June 2nd – the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). 

According to the Annus Fidei website, “the Holy Father will preside over a special Eucharistic adoration that will extend at the same time all over the world involving the cathedrals and parishes in each diocese.”

“For an hour, at 5pm (Rome time), the whole world will be united in prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,” the website says.

The USCCB Committee on Divine Worship notes that because of normal Sunday Mass schedules, it will be a particular...READ MORE

Over 120,000 members of Church movements will be in Rome this weekend to celebrate the Year of Faith and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.

Among those scheduled to speak at a welcoming ceremony in St. Peter's Square on Saturday, the vigil of Pentecost, will be Dr. Paul Bhatti, brother of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s former Catholic minister for minorities who was gunned down by Islamic extremists in 2011.

Shahbaz Bhatti was very close to the Sant’Egidio lay community, one of the largest movements to be created after the Second Vatican Council.

A month after his death, Paul came to Rome with Shahbaz’s Bible which is now on show in a side chapel...READ MORE

Photographs from yesterday's second March for Life in Rome. Click here for my account of the event.

Virginia Coda Nunziante, chief organiser of Rome's March for Life.

Irene Van der Wende of the group Abortioninformation.eu

Lila Rose of Live Action.

Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno.

A large group of Poles took part in this year's march.

A marching band led this year's march.

Participants of the March for Life arriving at the Vatican as Sunday's canonization ends.

Pope Francis personally greeted the marchers after his Regina Coeli address.

Photographs: Edward Pentin...READ MORE

Go to the outskirts of faith, be open to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work.

This was the key theme of Pope Francis’ early morning homily Thursday, in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae residence where he’s staying. Focusing on the first reading from Acts, the Holy Father stressed the importance of saying “yes” to the Holy Spirit if the Church is to grow in love and harmony.

Vatican Radio has a full summary here.

These daily homilies, praised for their improvised nature, simplicity and wisdom, have become eagerly awaited. Francis will often use them to drum home his what he sees as vital for the Church at this time (he’s discussed today’s theme of the need for radical,...READ MORE

A society that fails to pay a just wage, to offer employment, or that only seeks personal profit, is unjust and goes against God, Pope Francis said today.

Addressing pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father said work is fundamental for dignity – it gives man “a special dignity, a personal dignity” and men and women who work “are dignified.”

But he noted many who want to work and cannot, and those who work but are exploited. “Not paying fairly, not giving a job because you are only looking at balance sheets, only looking at how to make a profit – that goes against God!,” he said.

“This is a burden on our conscience, because when society is...READ MORE

Israeli President Shimon Peres warned Pope Francis Tuesday that the Middle East is “disintegrating” and said the pontiff “has an important role” to play in bringing peace to the region and the world.

During their half-hour conversation, Peres said the Middle East is in “real existential danger” and cited the severe lack of employment, of food and water. He warned that if these problems are not resolved, “violence and terror will gain a central place, as dangerous weapons fall into the hands of extremists.”

In a statement, the Israeli government said the Pope suggested creating “a global meeting of hope” made up of heads of all the world's faiths who would speak out “against violence...READ MORE

A new book revealing Pope Francis’ thoughts as a cardinal on a variety of "hot button" issues appears in English language bookstores on Friday.

Published by Image Books, the book is called “On Heaven and Earth: Pope Francis on Faith, Family and the Church in the 21st Century” and contains the text of a conversation between the Pope – then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio – and Argentine Rabbi Abraham Skorka.

Originally published in Spanish in 2010, this English translation is divided into 29 chapters according to topic, and includes frank discussions on same-sex marriage, globalization, euthanasia, fundamentalism, and many other topical subjects.

Image Books have released these two...READ MORE