Jubilee Year of Mercy

The Latest

A message from Rome on the power of liturgical music

Oct 24, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Liturgical music has the ability to communicate the love of God – and it's this message that gives it the... Read more

Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles speaks at a press briefing at the Vatican, Oct. 22, 2015.

For Archbishop Gómez, mercy makes Christians credible

Aug 30, 2016

Christian mercy has the power to break down the barriers of a changing world where people have forgotten the presence... Read more

Pope Francis in St Peter's Square for the Jubilee of Mercy audience, June 18, 2016.

Pope: Authentic conversion only comes from Christ

Jun 18, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Recognizing the needs of others is a sign of genuine conversion, which only happens when the heart is ready to... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Square, June 12, 2016.

Pope: Disabled persons should be loved, not hidden from society

Jun 12, 2016

By Ann Schneible

On Sunday, Pope Francis denounced the increasingly prevalent mentality which claims that sick and disabled persons cannot be happy, and... Read more

Pope Francis at Jubilee of Mercy audience in St. Peter's Square. May 14, 2016.

Pope Francis: You can't love your pet more than your neighbor

May 14, 2016

People in need deserve more love from us than the animals do, Pope Francis has said.  Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica to begin the Year of Mercy, Dec. 8, 2015.

A pilgrimage for the poor to close out the Year of Mercy with Pope Francis

May 3, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Thousands of poor and excluded men and women from across Europe will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity... Read more

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

Pope to teens: There isn't a phone app for love and happiness

Apr 24, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Freedom does not come from things we possess or from doing whatever we want, Pope Francis said Sunday in his... Read more

Pope Francis hears confessions of teenagers in St. Peter's Square.

Pope hears confessions at Jubilee event for teens

Apr 23, 2016

Pope Francis on Saturday heard the confessions of young people in St. Peter's Square as part of this weekend's Jubilee... 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 speaks to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square on June 15, 2015 before the Angelus.

Pope Francis: It's never too late for conversion

Feb 28, 2016

By Ann Schneible

God's patience towards sinners is without limit, yet the time for conversion is now, Pope Francis said during his Sunday... Read more

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

Pope appeals for 'martyred country' of Syria

Feb 7, 2016

By Ann Schneible

The plight of Syrian civilians involved in the nation's ongoing conflict was at the heart of Pope Francis' appeal to... Read more

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

Mercy and mission go hand-in-hand, Pope says

Jan 30, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Mercy and the Christian responsibility to be missionaries are closely connected, Pope Francis said Saturday, kicking off the first in... Read more

Pilgrims pass through the Holy Doors of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome, Dec. 13, 2015.

Mercy, not magic – Archdiocese of Bombay clarifies Holy Doors and the Jubilee

Jan 26, 2016

The Archdiocese of Bombay issued a clarification last week after WhatsApp users in Maharashtra were circulating a 'misleading' message which... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday 2015.

Pope calls for concrete acts of mercy this Lent

Jan 26, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In his 2016 Lenten message, Pope Francis called the faithful to place special emphasis on the spiritual and corporal works... Read more

Migrants in Greece. The arrival in Europe of more than 1 million migrants and refugees in 2015 sparked a wave of nationalism.

Europe's 'new nationalism' is problematic, Austrian cardinal warns

Jan 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

The Archbishop of Vienna has warned that as Europe’s migrant crisis reaches a fever pitch, the continent risks falling into... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Brazilian community of Varginha July 25, 2013.

Every migrant has a story and culture of value, Pope Francis says

Jan 17, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis offered special greetings to 6,000 migrants and refugees who were gathered in S. Peter’s Square, telling... Read more

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

Pope's message to youth: have courage to swim against the tide

Jan 14, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has sent a special message to the youth who will participate in the Jubilee of Boys and Girls... 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 goes to Confession during a penitential celebration at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

All the faithful can receive God's love in confession – Pope Francis

Jan 13, 2016

By Ann Schneible

God's love is offered to everyone who goes to the sacrament of confession, Pope Francis said in his new book... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peters Square before the Wed. general audience April 16, 2014.

We're wounded – that’s why we need mercy, Pope Francis says

Jan 12, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his new book on mercy Pope Francis offers extensive reflections on the topic that has shaped much of his... Read more