His Eminence Cardinal Thomas Collins
Archbishop of Toronto
President of the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of OntarioHis Holiness Pope Francis sends warm greetings to you, your brothers Bishops, the priests, staff and students as you celebrate the Eucharist simultaneously across the province during Catholic Education week. He assures you of his spiritual closeness in this great act of praise and worship of God. In light of the theme that you have chosen, “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27), the Holy Father prays that you will keep your hearts and minds focused on Jesus Christ, thereby imitating his zeal and joy in the service of others. He especially encourages you, staff and the students alike, to embrace prayerfully the wonder and beauty of the Gospel, so as to be constantly renewed by the grace of Christ’s presence. Indeed, it is by remaining close to him that you will make a unique and important contribution to society, offering men and women Jesus Christ as the answer of their deepest yearning for meaning. Commending you to the intercession of Mary, Seat of Divine Wisdom, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of confidence and peace in the Lord.Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
In his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope," as part of the Jubilee 2025. This week he reflected on the Magnificat, the Virgin Mary's Song of Praise after she is greeted by her cousin Elizabeth.
Reflecting on the vision given to St. Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew, Pope Francis said that "He dreams of the miracle that God fulfils in Mary’s life, and also the miracle that he works in his own life: to take on a fatherhood capable of guarding, protecting, and passing on a material and spiritual inheritance."
Pope Francis continued this cycle of catechesis on "Jesus Christ our Hope." Reflecting on the Angel Gabriel's greeting to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, he said that "The 'Almighty,' the God of the 'impossible' is with Mary, together with and beside her; He is her companion, her principal ally, the eternal 'I-with-you.'"
In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on the fruits of the Spirit. Beginning with Joy, he said that "not only is it not subject to the inevitable wear of time, but it multiplies when it is shared with others! A true joy is shared with others; it even spreads."
In his weekly catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on how the Holy Spirit empowered the Blessed Virgin Mary to become the Mother of God.