General audience

The Latest

Pope Francis during his June 7, 2017, Wendesday general audience in St. Peter's Square.

For Christians, life always has meaning – even when it's hard, Pope says

Aug 23, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday, Pope Francis said going through life downcast as if it has no meaning is not the attitude of... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on May 22, 2015.

Pope Francis: Jesus went to the cross for sinners, not the perfect

Aug 9, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the Church doesn't exist for people without faults, but for sinners in need of God's... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Aug. 2 2017, general audience in the Paul VI Hall.

To be a Christian means to have hope even in darkness, Pope Francis says

Aug 2, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that to be a Christian means to have hope in the light of Christ, which... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 15, 2017.

Don’t think holiness is for you? The saints can help, Pope Francis says

Jun 21, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday, Pope Francis said the saints show us that despite what we might think, holiness is possible for everyone,... Read more

Pope Francis smiles in St. Peter's Square June 14, 2017.

We don't earn God's love - it's freely given, Pope Francis says

Jun 14, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday, Pope Francis said that God’s love isn’t something we earn or deserve by our good works, but that... Read more

Pope Francis during his June 7, 2017, Wendesday general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope: Don't be afraid to call on the Father – he won't abandon you

Jun 7, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is that we have a... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square for the general audience Sept. 21, 2016.

Pope Francis: Even in the darkest moments, Jesus walks with us

May 24, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that no matter what trials we might face, we have hope because Jesus is always... Read more

Pope Francis during his May 10, 2017 Wednesday general audience.

Pope points to Mary Magdalene as an apostle of hope

May 17, 2017

By Elise Harris

By calling Mary Magdalene by name after his resurrection, Jesus shows us just how personal his relationship with mankind is,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Jan. 13, 2016.

Pope: Mary's 'yes' echoes the joy, suffering of every mother

May 10, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Days before his trip to Fatima, Pope Francis said Mary’s ‘yes’ at the Annunciation was more than a yes to... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his May 3, 2017, general audience in St. Peter's Square.

After visit, Pope Francis says Egypt is a 'sign of hope'

May 3, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis recalled his recent visit to Egypt, saying that given its rich biblical and cultural history, the... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his April 26, 2017 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis: Everything passes – except God's love for us

Apr 26, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said Christian hope, rather than coming from the empty promises of other human beings, is rooted... Read more

Pope Francis arrives to his March 22, 2017 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis: When we want to give up, God helps us persevere

Mar 22, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said each person must strive to imitate the perseverance and consolation of God, which not only... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience with pilgrims from China in St. Peter's Square on March 15, 2017.

What Pope Francis did when guards tried to stop these Chinese pilgrims

Mar 15, 2017

Pope Francis greeted and blessed a group of pilgrims from China who broke protocol and approached him during the Wednesday... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his March 15, 2017 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

How to love well according to Pope Francis: it starts with God

Mar 15, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis warned against the hypocrisy that comes from believing that the ability to genuinely love others is... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for a Jubilee of Mercy audience June 18, 2016.

Lent isn’t just about penance – it’s also a time of hope, Pope Francis says

Mar 1, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis said that while Lent is certainly a time of mortification, it’s also a journey of... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience May 28, 2014.

This is the one thing Pope Francis says you can brag about

Feb 15, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

As children we are taught that bragging is bad, especially when we do it to people who have less than... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Feb. 3, 2016 general audience in St Peter's Square.

The Resurrection is more than a wish – it's a reality, Pope Francis says

Feb 1, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the Christian belief in the Resurrection of Christ and in our own resurrection at the... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square for the general audience Sept. 21, 2016.

Trusting in God means letting go of what we want, Pope says

Jan 25, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said having total faith and trust in God means recognizing that he always knows and wants... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square April 13, 2016.

Pope Francis: having an abortion to keep your figure is a big problem

Jan 11, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis issued strong words against worshipping idols, cautioning against the false hope that beauty, wealth and power... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims during his Dec. 14, 2016, general audience.

Pope: the world desperately needs hope – and we are the messengers

Dec 14, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Wednesday spoke about the hope that the Child Jesus brings at Christmastime, saying it is our duty to... Read more