Pope in Sri Lanka

The Latest

Pope Francis.

An environment encyclical in March? Pope Francis hopes so

Jan 15, 2015

During an in-flight press conference on his way to the Philippines, Pope Francis said he plans to have his much-anticipated... Read more

Sri Lankan children line the path to the papal plane at the airport in Colombo Jan. 15.

Pope Francis bids farewell to Sri Lanka, Philippines up next

Jan 14, 2015

Pope Francis departed Sri Lanka for the Philippines on Thursday morning after an eventful trip to the island country.  Read more

Signs posted across Colombo welcome Pope Francis, Jan. 13, 2015.

Pope's visit prompts release of more than 600 Sri Lankan prisoners

Jan 14, 2015

By Alan Holdren, Ann Schneible

Prompted by Pope Francis' visit and in keeping with the ongoing theme of reconciliation, more than 600 men and women... Read more

Sri Lankans fill the street awaiting Pope Francis' arrival in Colombo, Jan. 13, 2015.

Francis makes impromptu visit to Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka

Jan 14, 2015

On Wednesday evening following his scheduled events, Pope Francis made a brief, unplanned visit to a Buddhist temple in Sri... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary at Madhu in Sri Lanka, Jan. 14, 2015.

'Mary forgave her son's killers': The Pope on healing in Sri Lanka

Jan 14, 2015

At a Marian shine during his three-day trip to Sri Lanka, Pope Francis touched on the country's brutal decades-long civil... Read more

Romello Dias and family at the papal Mass in Colombo Jan 14.

At papal Mass in Sri Lanka, disabled man seeks 'big blessing'

Jan 13, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Among the attendees at the papal Mass in Sri Lanka on Wednesday was Romello Dias, a 20-year-old man who has... Read more

Pope Francis at the canonization Mass of Joseph Vaz in Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis' full homily on Joseph Vaz, Sri Lanka's first saint

Jan 13, 2015

In Saint Joseph we see a powerful sign of God's goodness and love for the people of Sri Lanka. But... Read more

A statue of St. Joseph Vaz at the Jan. 14 canonization Mass in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis lauds first Sri Lankan saint's undivided love for God

Jan 13, 2015

Pope Francis on Wednesday canonized Joseph Vaz, Sri Lanka’s first saint, praising the 17th century priest’s love for the Sri... Read more

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith outside his residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Jan. 13, 2015.

Sri Lankan cardinal credits papal trip for post-election peace

Jan 13, 2015

By Elise Harris

After tense elections yielded a new president just days before Pope Francis' arrival in Sri Lanka, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said... Read more

Pope Francis addresses interreligious faith leaders in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13, 2015.

Don't use religion as a weapon of war, Pope Francis insists

Jan 13, 2015

In an oft-repeated message to interreligious groups, Pope Francis stressed again that believers must unite in condemning violence and insist... Read more

Pope Francis was greeted by 40 elephants upon his arrival in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Jan. 13, 2015.

A warm Sri Lanka welcome – Pope greeted by 40 elephants

Jan 13, 2015

In all, there were 40 elephants that the Sri Lankan authorities decided to include in Pope Francis’ welcome ceremony upon... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Jan. 13, 2015.

Amid schedule delays, Pope cancels meeting with Sri Lanka bishops

Jan 13, 2015

Pope Francis decided to forego a scheduled meeting with the bishops of Sri Lanka Jan. 13 after delays in arriving... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in Sri Lanka Jan. 13.

Pope Francis: Sri Lankans can learn to live as one family

Jan 12, 2015

By Mary Farrow

Pope Francis has begun his visit to Sri Lanka, voicing hopes for “days of friendship, dialogue and solidarity.”  Read more

Sri Lankans participate in healing prayers for a day of the sick in August, 2014.

For Sri Lanka, Pope's visit solidifies peace after brutal civil war

Jan 9, 2015

By Elise Harris

Falling just five years after the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, Pope Francis’ visit to the country is seen... Read more

Sri Lankan Catholic students.

Preparing for Francis, Sri Lanka Church considers roadmap for peace

Jan 6, 2015

Deep wounds have barely begun healing. Only few years have passed since Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in May 2009.... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during the Wednesday General Audience on April 23, 2014.

What will the Pope be up to in Sri Lanka, Philippines? Take a look

Nov 14, 2014

By Elise Harris

Today the Vatican published the official itinerary for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, during which... Read more

Cardinal Ranjith (R) compliments Vajira Indika Karunasena the symphony's composer (L), as Hudson Samarasinghe of SLBC (C) looks on, at the Sept. 17 performance.

Buddhist composes symphony to mark Pope's Sri Lanka visit

Sep 27, 2014

In an effort for religious reconciliation, the Sri Lankan government has commissioned  a symphony from a Buddhist composer to commemorate... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, June 18, 2014.

Dates for Pope's trip to Sri Lanka and Philippines confirmed

Jul 29, 2014

The Holy See Press Office confirmed today that Pope Francis will be traveling to Sri Lanka Jan. 12-15 and to... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Oct.13, 2013.

Pope's Sri Lanka trip will be January 13-15

Jun 11, 2014

By Elise Harris

The coordinator of Sri Lankan migrants in Italy has confirmed the dates announced by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for Pope Francis’... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for World Youth Day 2013.

Pope Francis announces plans to visit Philippines, Sri Lanka

May 27, 2014

On his return flight from the Holy Land, Pope Francis announced that he will visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines... Read more