Holiness: strength, evangelization and concern for the weakest

El Greco, El Expolio (1577-1579) 

Cathedral of Toledo (Spain)

The first saints canonized by Pope Francis on May 12 are almost 800 martyrs of Otranto (Italy), beheaded in 1480, and two religious women from Colombia and Mexico.

     The canonization of the martyrs of Otranto (beatified in 1771 by Clement XIV, Pope Franciscan) had been advanced by Benedict XVI at the same audience in which he announced his resignation (Feb, 11th, 2013).

Ascension and solidarity

Christ Ascension, icon from Michurin, Bulgaria, 16 century.

Burgas Art Gallery

What does the Ascension of the Lord mean? What concrete consequences does it have for our lives? On April 17 Pope Francis dedicated his audience to the article of the Creed on the Ascension of the Lord: "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the Right Hand of the Father".