General audience
The Latest
Pope Francis highlights St. Josephine Bakhita’s example of forgiveness
The Sudanese-Italian saint’s life story is “an existential parable of forgiveness,” the pope said Wednesday. Read more
Europe needs hope, Pope Francis says
“How can we welcome others if we ourselves do not first have a horizon open to the future?” the pope... Read more
Pope Francis lauds Catholic saint who fought to end slavery in Africa
St. Daniele Comboni witnessed “the horror of slavery” as a missionary in the mid-19th century in what is now Sudan. Read more
Pope Francis appeals for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh: ‘Silence the weapons’
Speaking to more than 15,000 people in St. Peter’s Square, the pope said Wednesday that he was troubled by the... Read more
Pope Francis highlights life of service of Venezuelan blessed at general audience
Pope Francis on Wednesday presented the life of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros as an example of the Gospel in... Read more
Pope Francis: St. Kateri Tekakwitha is an example of patience in suffering
“Kateri Tekakwitha’s life shows us that every challenge can be overcome if we open our hearts to Jesus,” Pope Francis... Read more
Pope Francis: Mary ‘never keeps us waiting’
Pope Francis said he likes to invoke the Virgin Mary under the title of “Our Lady ‘in haste’” because of... Read more
Pope Francis: St. Mary MacKillop evangelized through Catholic education
Commenting on the late June weather, Francis asked pilgrims at the start of the event “to be a little patient... Read more
Pope Francis praises Matteo Ricci for proclaiming the Gospel in China
The pope dedicated his entire catechesis to sharing the life of Venerable Matteo Ricci, a 16th-century Jesuit missionary in China. Read more
Pope Francis: St. Andrew Kim Taegon teaches us ‘we must not give up’
“No matter how difficult the situation may be ... we must not give up,” Pope Francis said. Read more
Pope Francis: Pray that the Gospel can be freely shared in China
On May 24, the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for China. Read more
Pope Francis receives phone call during general audience
After the pope greeted English-speaking pilgrims at his public audience on May 17, one of his assistants walked over to... Read more
Pope Francis: Share the Gospel with zeal like St. Francis Xavier
The pope dedicated his entire general audience to sharing the story of the daring 16th-century saint who risked his life... Read more
Pope Francis holds general audience with Tawadros II
In a change from the usual pattern of Pope Francis’ weekly public audience, the two leaders sat together on the... Read more
Pope Francis: Monks and nuns are ‘the beating heart’ of evangelization
The pope pointed to the example of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and other cloistered religious who sustain the life of... Read more
Pope Francis: ‘Every Christian is called to the witness of life’
Persecution of Christians is not just a thing of the past, Pope Francis said. Read more
Pope Francis: ‘The true Christian is one who receives Jesus within’
“You cannot be Christian only from the outside. No, Jesus must enter and this changes you...” Pope Francis said. Read more
Pope Francis: Christian witness requires consistency between how one lives and what one proclaims
To effectively witness to the Gospel, Christians need to be consistent in what they believe, how they live, and what... Read more
Pope Francis: A Christian life based on achieving higher positions is ‘pure paganism’
“When you conceive of the Christian life as an advancement, that the one above commands others ... that is not... Read more
Pope Francis: There is no option to be passive Catholics when it comes to evangelization
“Every baptized person … whatever his position in the Church or level of education in the faith, is an active... Read more
