“In this world, which has developed the most sophisticated technologies, weapons are sold that end up in the hands of child soldiers.” Pope Francis denounced this in a video message for December’s prayer intention, Vatican Radio reports. Francis reiterated the urgent need to “do everything possible so that the dignity of children may be respected, and end this form of slavery”.

This Advent, I invented a small spiritual exercise to help focus my mind on higher things. I’m trying to start each day by reflecting for a few moments on the question: What if today is the day the world ends?

Advent is meant as a time for reflecting on the current liturgical year, but also for reflecting on the Parousia, the Second Coming, which brings with it the end of days.

European leaders gathered on November 29 at a conference in Vienna to discuss Christian persecution and its resounding effect on Europe, particularly emphasizing the need to seriously address religious discrimination and genocide around the world.

“The persecution faced by Christians around the world must be recognized and treated by the international community with the seriousness it deserves,” Ellen Fantini, executive director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians, stated.

At the end of his general audience on Wednesday, November 30, Pope Francis greeted the Church of Constantinople, and the “beloved Patriarch Bartholomew” on the occasion of the Feast of the Apostle St. Andrew, traditionally held to be the founder of the See of Byzantium, which later became the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Pope Francis expressed his desire to be united to the Patriarch and to the church of Constantinople, offering them his “best wishes for all possible goods, for all the blessings of the Lord, and a warm embrace.”

Vatican Insider hears from Etienne Villemain, the man who came up with the idea that ended up in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter “Misericordia et Misera”: “In our communities we usually meet the poor at the church entrance. But their place is in the heart of the Church”

Not many get to launch an idea which then appears in black and white in a Pope’s Apostolic Letter. But Etienne Villemain invites us to look beyond: “I don’t think it was a proposal we came up with, it was the Holy Spirit that suggested it to us…”

Since 2013, President-elect of the United States Donald Trump has dedicated some telling - albeit few in number - tweets, frequently changing his tone. Among them is a declaration of admiration which refers to humility as the alleged “common denominator” between Francis and himself.

The Polish Pope’s former spokesman said the late Fidel Castro “wanted to know everything there was to know about John Paul II”

The Vatican has played a part in guiding the transition process since the mid-90s. Now, the Church also has a decisive role to play in Cuba’s future.

Pope Francis, Vatican diplomacy and the Catholic Church will be able to play a part in Cuba’s future in light of the líder máximo’s death, playing the ecumenical card after the historic meeting between the Pope and Moscow’s Patriarch Kirill at Havana airport last February, with the subtle mediation of Raúl Castro

Interview with the newly-created Redemptorist cardinal: the “balkanisation” process in the US Church “is reinforced by people who speak only with those who agree with them”. Those behind bars are good at grasping the meaning of mercy because “they have no reason to brag before God”

Journey to the Muslim country that is home to 200 Catholics and only three priests (in the entire state), members of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation