St Peter's SquareSunday, 13  September 2026 ___________________________________ Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Sunday! Today’s Gospel speaks to us of forgiveness, which is a fundamental feature of the Christian life. Jesus taught and exemplified forgiveness even on the cross, where he prayed to the Father for his persecutors with the familiar words: “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk23:34). In today’s passage, Peter asks the Master precisely about this question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times…

Sanctuary of the Mother of Good Counsel (Genazzano)Vigili of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin MaryMonday, 7 September 2026 As you will recall, “in the early days of my pontificate I felt a duty and a deep desire to visit Genazzano, the Sanctury of Our Lady of Good Counsel, who has accompanied me throughout my life with her maternal presence, her wisdom and the example of her love for her Son, the Son who is always the centre of my faith” (Entry in the guest book of the Sanctuary, 10 May 2025). It is with joy that I am here once more, to celebrate with you the Vigil of the N…

Saint Peter's SquareWednesday, 9 September 2026 Catechesis.The Documents of the Second Vatican Council. IV. Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (GS12-22).2. Human dignity: gift and responsibility. Brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome! The Conciliar ConstitutionGaudium et Spes(GS), by dedicating the first chapter to the dignity of the human person, emphasizes that it is the foundation and condition for “those values which are most highly prized today”, but these must not lose sight of their “divine source”, in order to avoid possible distortions arising from the “taint …