Francis was born in 1182 in Assisi. He was the son of a prosperous cloth merchant, Peter Bernadone. His companions saw him as a carefree youth, calling him the “King of Revels.”

Francis enjoyed partying with his friends and had dreams of becoming a knight and gaining glory on the battlefield. But shortly after riding off to fight against Perugia, a nearby town, he ended up in their prison, a broken and disillusioned young man. It was after his return from prison, and during the recovery that followed, that Francis’ life was changed.

The Solemnity of the Ascension celebrates many things, among them the Great Commission to preach the gospel to all nations. Thus, it is a fitting time to ponder the call of Pope John Paul II to a “new evangelization.”

The celebration of the Ascension used to leave me a bit flat. It was clear what Good Friday did for me. And Easter Sunday’s benefits were indisputable. But as for the Ascension, what’s in it for me?

At the general audience, Francis continues his catechesis on Baptism, a sacrament that “imprints an indelible spiritual seal that no sin can erase”. A greeting to the “small farmers” and an invitation to pray the rosary for Syria.

"Holy Father!", "Francis!", "ah Francé! (Italian Roman dialect). People screaming and chanting at the arrival of the Pope in the parish of the Blessed Sacrament, in the working-class district of Tor de' Schiavi. Bergoglio arrives by car just before 4 p.m. and is welcomed by Cardinals Chavez and Tagle and by the parish priest Don Maurizio Mirilli who escorts him in the midst of the joyfully noisy crowd waving smartphones and signs in the courtyard of the church.

Over an hour-long dialogue between Francis and the participants to a conference of the Congregation of Consecrated Life: “Beware not to hold on to your riches, vanity and pride”, “are vocations scarce? Patience!” Do not give scandal with internal disputes”.

It’s the month of May, our Lady’s month, and Mother’s day is just around the corner. So let’s talk about motherhood and a mother's prayer life. Prayer is absolutely necessary for our sanctification and perfection in God's love. We know that. Yet it can be a temptation to let the demands of motherhood excuse us from a consistent, daily prayer life.

Although a number of recent signs may indicate that important steps are being made in the Holy See’s dialogue with China, any formal Agreement between the two does not seem imminent.

May 1 is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

A worker produces something. A worker provides something. A father provides for his family. Provides not only food but something else. This St. Joseph did to the nth degree. But this is getting a bit ahead…let’s take a quick look at the When and the Why of this feast.

Interview with the Secretary of State: concerns about Syria, patience in China's negotiations aimed only at the unity of the Church. “Alfie’s case caused me great sadness”.

High hopes for Korea and great concerns for Syria. Patience with the negotiations with China and the case of little Alfie Evans. After a lecture held in the Cathedral of Chioggia on the "Three Popes of 1978", first of a series of meetings organized by "Fondaco" on fatherhood, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, answered questions on the most topical issues.

The Pope summons all the Patriarchs and Heads of the Eastern Churches who are not in full communion with Rome. In the hope of moving towards unity, and in the sake of the suffering Christian communities of the Middle East.