General audience

The Latest

Pope Francis gives a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis at the general audience: ‘We can all learn from the perseverance of the Russian pilgrim’

Apr 21, 2021

At this morning’s general audience, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to read the 19th-century Russian spiritual classic “The Way of a... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace April 7, 2021.

Pope Francis at the general audience: ‘There is no grief in the Church that is borne in solitude’

Apr 7, 2021

At this morning’s general audience, Pope Francis said that the communion of saints means that Christians are never alone in... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace March 31, 2021.

Pope Francis: In Christ’s Passion, we remember victims of wars, everyday violence, abortions

Mar 31, 2021

At his general audience, Pope Francis said that Holy Week is a time to “remember the ‘sacrificed lambs,’ the innocent... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: Jesus entrusted Mary to us as a Mother, ‘not as co-redeemer’

Mar 24, 2021

At this morning’s general audience, Pope Francis said that Jesus entrusted the Virgin Mary to us as a Mother, “not... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace March 17, 2021

Pope Francis: ‘I too kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say stop the violence’

Mar 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

At today’s general audience, Pope Francis made an emotional appeal for an end to violence against protesters in Burma. Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: Keep praying for ‘our sorely tried brothers and sisters’ in Iraq

Mar 10, 2021

At this morning’s general audience, Pope Francis urged Catholics worldwide to keep praying for “our sorely tried brothers and sisters”... Read more

Pope Francis holds a general audience at the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican, Oct 28, 2020.

From Pius XII to Pope Francis: A brief history of general audiences

Mar 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Wednesday papal catecheses date back to before the Second World War Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis calls for end to ‘bloody clashes’ in Burma

Mar 3, 2021

Pope Francis appealed on Wednesday for an end to “bloody clashes” and the release of political leaders in Burma.  Read more

Pope Francis at a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Christian prayer instills ‘invincible hope’ in the human heart

Feb 10, 2021

Pope Francis said on Wednesday that prayer can fortify us as we face the challenges of daily life.  Read more

Pope Francis gives a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Feb. 3, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Without liturgy, Christianity is without the whole of Christ

Feb 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that it is essential for Christians to participate in the liturgy and the sacraments to encounter... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Jan. 27, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis on Holocaust Remembrance Day: ‘These things can happen again’

Jan 27, 2021

Pope Francis said on Wednesday that commemorating the Holocaust means to be aware that “these things can happen again.”   Read more

Pope Francis delivers his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Jan. 20, 2021. Credit: Pablo Esparza/CNA.

Pope Francis: Ask God for unity to ‘overcome scandal of division’ among Christians

Jan 20, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis urged Christians to pray for “the gift of unity” on Wednesday, saying that the devil always seeks to... Read more

Pope Francis gives a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: Praise God above all in difficult moments

Jan 13, 2021

Pope Francis urged Catholics on Wednesday to praise God not only in happy times, “but above all in difficult moments.”  Read more

Pope Francis speaks during a general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: ‘Bearers of gratitude’ make the world a better place

Dec 30, 2020

Catholics can change the world by being “bearers of gratitude,” Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Dec. 16, 2020.

Pope Francis: ‘Those who pray never turn their backs on the world’

Dec 16, 2020

People who pray for others are like God’s antennas, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis speaks during a general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: ‘Even death trembles when a Christian prays’

Dec 9, 2020

Prayer is so powerful that “even death trembles when a Christian prays,” Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis touches a statue of Our Lady of Luján at his general audience in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace Dec. 2, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Islamist attack in Nigeria that left 30 beheaded

Dec 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that he was praying for Nigeria following a massacre of at least 110 farmers in which... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at a general audience in the apostolic library.

Pope Francis: God is patient and never stops waiting for a sinner’s conversion

Dec 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that God does not wait for us to stop sinning to start loving us, but always... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during a general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: ‘The Church is the work of the Holy Spirit’

Nov 25, 2020

Catholics risk going astray if they neglect the four essential characteristics of Church life, Pope Francis said at the general... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Nov. 18, 2020.

Pope Francis: Mary teaches us to pray with a heart open to God’s will

Nov 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of prayer that transforms restlessness into openness to God’s... Read more