General audience

The Latest

Pope Francis pictured at his general audience in the San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican Sept. 9, 2020.

Pope Francis: Promote the common good to heal wounds of coronavirus crisis

Sep 9, 2020

The wounds inflicted by the coronavirus crisis will only be healed if we put the common good first, Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis with Lebanese priest Fr. Georges Breidi at his general audience Sept. 2, 2020. Photo

Pope Francis calls for day of prayer and fasting for Lebanon

Sep 2, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the end of his general audience Wednesday, Pope Francis made a lengthy appeal for peace and harmony in Lebanon,... Read more

Pope Francis arrives for his general audience in the San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican, Sept. 2, 2020.

Tourists in Rome surprised by chance to see Pope Francis

Sep 2, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Tourists in Rome had an unexpected chance to see Pope Francis at his first public audience for almost six months.  Read more

Pope Francis arrives for his general audience in the San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican, Sept. 2, 2020. All photos: Daniel Ibañez/CNA.

Pope Francis calls for solidarity at first audience with pilgrims after lockdown

Sep 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

In his first Wednesday audience with pilgrims since Italy’s lockdown, Pope Francis called for solidarity to reawaken unity and bring... Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Aug. 26.

Pope Francis to resume general audiences with the public

Aug 26, 2020

Members of the public will be able to attend Pope Francis’ general audiences again from Sept. 2 after an almost six-month... Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Aug. 26.

Pope Francis: Catholics should combat ‘dismal’ economic inequality with hope

Aug 26, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Wednesday encouraged Catholics to work to address the injustice of wealth inequality and its effects in the world,... Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Aug. 19.

Pope Francis: Make coronavirus vaccine available to all

Aug 19, 2020

A potential coronavirus vaccine should be made available to all, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace, June 24, 2020.

Pope Francis: In life’s ups and downs, make prayer your constant

Jun 24, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

King David is an example of being consistent in prayer no matter what life throws at you or what good... Read more

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

Pope Francis: Discover the riches hidden in Jesus’ Sacred Heart

Jun 17, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Ahead of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to discover the riches of charity... Read more

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

Pope Francis: God awaits us in our darkest moments

Jun 10, 2020

In our darkest moments God awaits us and is ready to transform us, Pope Francis said at his general audience... Read more

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

Pope Francis on what we can learn about prayer from Blaise Pascal

Jun 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis pointed to an experience of 17th-century mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal as an important testimony of how one... Read more

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

Pope Francis prays for the soul of George Floyd and for peace and justice in US

Jun 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that he is praying for the soul of George Floyd and all victims of racism, adding... Read more

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

Pope Francis says prayer is a refuge against evil

May 27, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Prayer is a refuge and protection against the evil of the world, Pope Francis said in his general audience address... Read more

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

Pope Francis says prayer opens the door of hope

May 20, 2020

Prayer opens the door of hope, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace May 13, 2020.

Pope Francis: Christians can pray to the Father without fear

May 13, 2020

Jesus has transformed the human experience of prayer, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the apostolic palace May 6, 2020.

Pope Francis speaks up for ‘harshly exploited’ agricultural workers

May 6, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The coronavirus crisis can be an opportunity to recenter work on the dignity of each person, Pope Francis said in... Read more

Pope Francis gives a general audience address in the apostolic palace.

The beatitudes show the path from selfishness to holiness, says pope

Apr 29, 2020

The eight beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount reveal the path from selfishness to holiness, Pope... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience in the apostolic library April 22, 2020.

On Earth Day, Pope Francis urges solidarity with most vulnerable

Apr 22, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Commenting on the celebration of Earth Day during his general audience Wednesday, Pope Francis urged people to show solidarity with... Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the apostolic palace April 15, 2020.

Peace is much more than ‘inner tranquility,’ says Pope Francis

Apr 15, 2020

Peace is often misunderstood today as a subjective psychological idea, Pope Francis said Wednesday, stressing that true peace is found... Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in the apostolic palace April 1, 2020.

Ponder Christ’s Passion amid the coronavirus crisis, pope urges

Apr 8, 2020

Meditating on Christ's Passion can help us as we struggle with questions about God and suffering during the coronavirus crisis,... Read more