Year of Mercy

The Latest

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, March 16, 2016.

Pope Francis makes surprise 'Year of Mercy'-style visit

Mar 31, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Although the Jubilee Year of Mercy has officially ended, Pope Francis today made a surprise “Mercy Friday” visit to a... Read more

Pope Francis meets with former prostitutes assisted by the Pope John XXIII Community in Rome Aug. 12, 2016.

How an ex-prostitute's horrific suffering moved Pope Francis

Nov 20, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis still remembers meeting with a former prostitute during the Jubilee of Mercu, and hearing how she suffered untold... Read more

Father John Paul Zeller preaches at the Southeast Alaska Catholic Conference in Juneau for the Jubilee of Mercy. Photo courtesy of Fr. Zeller.

A Missionary of Mercy’s advice for priests after Jubilee

Nov 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

Having spent the Holy Year fulfilling his mandate as one of Pope Francis’ Missionaries of Mercy, Fr. John Paul Zeller... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, April 21, 2016.

Papal nuncio to US bishops: mercy will heal wounds of division

Nov 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The Church needs to “be on the move” to bring Christ to young people in an ever-changing world, Pope Francis’... Read more

The Jubilee Mass for the Poor in St. Peter's Basilica, Nov. 13, 2016.

Homeless persons find a spiritual father in Pope Francis

Nov 14, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Always close to his heart, around 3,600 homeless men and women were given the chance to be also physically near... Read more

A holy door closes at Saint Paul Outside the Walls church in Rome. Nov. 13, 2016.

As Year of Mercy ends, Holy Doors close around the world

Nov 13, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

As Holy Doors close in churches and basilicas around the world, including in Rome, it is estimated that over 20... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on Nov. 12, 2016.

Pope Francis: the Church's mercy is for everyone

Nov 12, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims about how the mercy of God is for everyone, and how through the Church, we... Read more

Pope Francis visits children at the SOS Village in Rome, Oct. 14, 2016.

Pope visits young children from difficult family situations

Oct 14, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Friday Pope Francis visited with young children at the “SOS Village” in Rome, a community made up of homes... Read more

Pope Francis meets with apostolic nuncios at the Vatican, Sept. 17, 2016.

Papal ambassadors issue global appeal to step-up peace efforts

Sep 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

After spending three days in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis’ diplomatic representatives throughout the world have... Read more

Pope Francis gives confirmation to Giuseppe Chiolo at the Vatican on Sept. 10, 2016.

It's Jesus who radically sets us free, Pope Francis says

Sep 10, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Christ took on our sins so that we might have true freedom, Pope Francis said Saturday during a special audience... Read more

Julia Greeley.

From slavery to model of mercy – the powerful story of Julia Greeley

Sep 7, 2016

Julia Greeley was a familiar sight on the streets of Denver in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 16, 2015.

Pope Francis tells a fractured world: God's mercy gives hope for change

Aug 27, 2016

Just as God trusts us and expects us to change, we must treat others “never based on fear but on... Read more

Catholic Members of Parliament with Fr.Chinkanda and Missionaries of Charity.

Catholic before partisan: African leaders unite to aid orphanage

Aug 7, 2016

In an orphanage near the capital city of Lilongwe, Malawi, children are reaping the fruits of the Year of Mercy.... Read more

Father José Aumenté presents Pope Francis with a reflective vest of the Spanish bishops' highway ministry. Photo courtesy of Fr. José Aumenté.

This priest encourages drivers to 'be merciful on the road'

Jul 21, 2016

As more drivers hit the roads in the U.S. and Europe for summer road trips, a priest in Spain is... Read more

In Rio, cardinal invites homeless to help celebrate his birthday

Jun 30, 2016

Rio de Janeiro's Cardinal Orani Tempesta celebrated his 66th birthday with a special visit: he spent his time with a... Read more

Pope Francis visits the elderly priest-residents of Casa San Gaetano in Rome, June 17, 2016.

Priests in Rome get a surprise visit from Pope Francis

Jun 17, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Friday afternoon Pope Francis visited two communities of priests in Rome as part of his “Mercy Friday” initiative to... Read more

Pope Francis greets participants of the Convention for Persons with Disabilities at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, June 11, 2016.

Pope Francis calls it – discrimination against the disabled is 'ugly'

Jun 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

No single person is more valuable than another, especially when it comes to those with disabilities, Pope Francis said on... Read more

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

What Pope Francis wants the world's priests to know

Jun 2, 2016

Pope Francis spoke candidly to thousands of priests this week during a special retreat for the Year of Mercy. The... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Rebibbia prison in Rome, April 2, 2015.

You have my gratitude, Pope Francis tells prison chaplains

Jun 1, 2016

Pope Francis has sent a special message to support the work of prison chaplains during the Year of Mercy.  Read more