Papa Francesco

In homage to Mary in Piazza di Spagna, Pope Francis ideally brings the entire city of Rome and the world. He calls for an “immaculate heart” to love without" masks and ruses”. He asserts the certainty of grace that wins over "discouragement". Afterwards, he visited S. Maria Maggiore.

Pope Francis receives the Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies marking one hundred years since foundation of the Pontifical Union. "The missionary fervor that consumed the Blessed Paolo Manna still continues today to burn, excite, renew, rethink and reform the service that this work is called to offer to the whole Church ". Mission "belongs to all: the faithful and pastors, married and consecrated virgins, the universal Church and the particular Churches." The full text of the speech.

The third and final meditation of Pope Francis on the occasion of the Jubilee for Priests took place at St. Paul Outside the Walls. Focused on the works of mercy to be practiced; of a culture of mercy to be created; on being priests "signs and instruments" of the mercy of Christ, especially in the confessional. The letter from a priest in a mountain parish.

Mary who "knows that God has looked with favour upon her humility and she recognizes that his mercy is from generation to generation " is the theme around which Francis has articulated the second of his meditations for the Jubilee of the Clergy, held in Saint Mary Major.

Francis holds three meditations for the Jubilee for Priests. The first, in St. John Lateran, on the theme "from estrangement to celebration", on the parable of the prodigal son.

Pope Francis today addressed via a televised link-up the opening ceremony of Expo Milano 2015 (1 May-31 October), the world fair centred on ‘Feeding the planet. Energy for Life’. For the Holy Father, this “Expo is a propitious opportunity to globalise solidarity. Let us not waste it; let us make the very most of it.” In his view, a change of mind-set is also needed to overcome the “paradox of abundance” and the culture of waste and castoffs. The pope’s full speech is reprinted below.

The day is set for 19 October. At the centre of the pope's reflections is the joy of evangelising, going out into humanity, which "needs to lay hold of the salvation brought by Christ." Joy can come by giving oneself through a consecrated or lay vocation.

The full text of the Message for World Youth Day, to be celebrated on 13 April next . The theme: "Blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" ( Mt 5:3 ) . John Paul II, who will be canonized a few days after WYD, called "the patron of World Youth Day, which he inaugurated and always supported."

At the vigil of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria , the Middle East and the world , Pope Francis asks all Christians, members of other religions and people of good will to be an instrument of reconciliation and peace. Violence and war speak "the language of death" and bring about the rebirth of Cain”. In the silence of the Cross, the uproar of weapons ceases and the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken."

In his Message for World Mission Day, Francis says mission means stepping out of one's comfort zone to reach out to non-Christians. This is not outside the Church's purview, for it "is not about proselytizing" or violence, but about the most important "gift", namely faith. The pontiff also mentions "those Christians who, in various parts of the world, experience difficulty in openly professing their faith" and in living with dignity. In fact, "Quite a few also risk their lives".

In his address to the bishops of Brazil, the Argentine Pope outlines some key elements for the reform of the Church in this time of "epochal change": accompanying man "in the night", the family, the value of women, unity in diversity. And most of all learning from the act of God in Aparecida. Not only for Brazil, but for the world.

At least two, perhaps three million young people, took part in the Vigil on the Copacabana waterfront and beach, singing, praying, relaying personal stories, listening to the words of Pope Francis. The Church and the world are a work in progress that require personal involvement to change them for the better, following the example of Mother Teresa of Kolkata. After the Eucharistic adoration was held, the silence of the night followed.