General audience

The Latest

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his May 25, 2016 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pray without ceasing – not just when you want to, Pope says

May 25, 2016

By Elise Harris

For Pope Francis, prayer is neither a “magic wand” used to get what we want nor something casual we do... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience May 21, 2014.

'To ignore the poor is to despise God,' Pope Francis says

May 18, 2016

By Elise Harris

If we don’t show mercy to others we shouldn’t expect to get it from God, Pope Francis said, stressing that... Read more

Pope Francis with a group of disabled children, led by Unitalsi Lazio in Santa Martha on May 29, 2015.

No one can take our dignity – not even the devil, Pope Francis says

May 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the father’s embrace in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is a reminder that we... Read more

Pope Francis hands rosaries to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his general audience May 4, 2016.

Jesus' closeness to sinners isn’t a scandal – it's an example, Pope says

May 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the parable of the Good Shepherd is a key example of God’s mercy, because it... Read more

Pope Francis met with street children during his visit to the Philippines on Jan. 16, 2015.

Pope: When giving to the poor, look them in the eyes

Apr 9, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In Saturday's address for the monthly Jubilee of Mercy general audience, Pope Francis said almsgiving is not just about the... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope Francis observes moment of silence for Belgium attack victims

Mar 23, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his general audience the day after terrorist attacks in Belgium claimed the lives of at least 30 people and... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his jubilee general audience March 12, 2016.

Love is the hidden service we do for others, Pope Francis says

Mar 12, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis said that love is more than just saying nice words and doing things – it means... Read more

Pope Francis gives a rosary to a disabled child during his general audience Feb. 24, 2016.

Pope: wealth and power are good, but only when used to serve

Feb 24, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis cautioned that unless wealth and power are put at the service of society, especially the poor,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Jan. 13, 2016.

Make a daily commitment to spreading God’s mercy, Pope Francis says

Feb 20, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis held his second Saturday general audience of the Jubilee, encouraging pilgrims to make a daily commitment... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience on Nov. 29, 2014.

Pope rallies Catholics to be 'mediators of mercy' during jubilee

Jan 27, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis renewed his appeal for faithful to put the works of mercy into practice during the jubilee,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Jan. 13, 2016.

Nothing can stop God's mercy – not even sin, Pope says

Jan 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis launched a new series of catechesis on mercy for his general audiences, telling pilgrims that the... Read more

Pope Francis has dinner with Jesuits on the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola July 31, 2014. Photo courtesy of the Jesuit General Curia.

Eat with your family, not with your smartphone, Pope says

Nov 11, 2015

By Elise Harris

For Pope Francis the dinner table is a key place to strengthen family bonds and foster a sense of “togetherness,”... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 3, 2014.

Pope Francis asks forgiveness for scandals in the Church

Oct 14, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis opened this Wednesday's general audience by apologizing for unspecified scandals that have recently arisen in the Vatican.  Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Sept. 9, 2015.

Churches, families must be places of welcome, Pope says

Sep 9, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis Wednesday spoke of the bond which must exist between families and the Christian community, stressing that the Church,... Read more

Pope Francis walking up to St. Peter's Basilica on June 3, 2015 before the Wednesday general audience.

War is the mother of poverty, Pope Francis says

Jun 3, 2015

By Ann Schneible

In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis lamented the suffering inflicted on families already struggling from poverty in countries torn... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Oct. 29, 2014 General Audience.

Pope: Mary and Joseph exemplify mission, vocation of family life

Dec 17, 2014

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis spoke today about Jesus’ choice to be born into a family, saying that it shows the importance of... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday audience in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope Francis prays, issues strong appeal for Ebola victims

Sep 24, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis made an appeal for prayer and aid for the victims of the Ebola outbreak which has been sweeping... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wed. general audience on April 16, 2014.

True Christians aren't elitist – they generate life, Pope says

Sep 17, 2014

By Ann Schneible

At his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke on what it means to evangelize, calling it apostolic work born of... Read more

Pope Francis greets Salvatore D'argento on Sept. 10, 2014.

Pope Francis greets paralyzed man who risked all to see him

Sep 10, 2014

By Elise Harris

A man paralyzed from the neck down made his way to Pope Francis' general audience, saying he took the massively... Read more

Pope Francis meets with students in Paul VI audience hall on May 31, 2014.

Pope: mercy, compassion at heart of new covenant

Aug 6, 2014

By Elise Harris

In his first general audience since June, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Church, explaining that Jesus fulfills the... Read more