A new book takes readers behind the scenes of the unlikely friendship between the leader of the Catholic Church and the head of the most prestigious and influential Islamic institute in the world.

The message of Easter is not a mirage or a magic formula, Pope Francis said. But it does offer hope to a world suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic and many sources of conflict.

Pope Francis celebrated the Mass commemorating the Last Supper in the private chapel of the demoted Cardinal Angelo Becciu, this Holy Thursday evening.

Pope Francis said today that he was deeply moved and encouraged at having received more than 100,000 small video messages of thanks and support on the eighth anniversary of his election as pope.

When we go to Mass, we do not go only to pray, no: we go to renew, to bring about again, this mystery, the Paschal mystery.

In Palm Sunday services at the Vatican, Pope Francis said that to admire Jesus "is not enough. We have to follow in his footsteps."