St. Catherine of Siena was born during the outbreak of the plague in Siena, Italy on March 25, 1347. She was the 25th child born to her mother, although half of her brothers and sisters did not survive childhood. Catherine herself was a twin, but her sister did not survive infancy. Her mother was 40 when she was born. Her father was a cloth dyer. At the age of 16, CatherineÂ?s sister, Bonaventura, died, leaving her husband as a widower. CatherineÂ?s parents proposed that he marry Catherine as a ...

Pope Francis makes a pastoral visit to the northern Italian city of Venice on 28 April. He first visits with inmates at the Giudecca Women’s Prison facility, followed by a meeting with curators and artists of the Holy See’s Pavilion for the 60th Venice Biennale. Then he meets with young people at the Basilica of St. Mary of Good Health, followed by Mass in St. Mark’s Square, the recitation of the Regina Coeli, and a visit in the Basilica of St. Mark to venerate the relics of the Saint.

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In St. Peter Chanel, Priest and Martyr (Feast day - April 28) The protomartyr of the South Seas, St. Peter Chanel was born in 1803 at Clet in the diocese of Belley, France. His intelligence and simple piety brought him to the attention of the local priest, Father Trompier, who saw to his elementary education. Entering the diocesan Seminary, Peter won the affection and the esteem of both students and professors. After his ordination he found himself in a rundown country parish and completely ...

As Pope Francis concludes his visit to the Italian city of Venice, our correspondent, Deborah Castellano Lubov, brings us the festive atmosphere after his Mass in St. Mark's Square and reflects on the day's impact.

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Pope Francis invokes the intercession of Our Lady for the many situations of suffering in the world, turning his attention in particular to Haiti where a transitional Council has just been asked to appoint a new head of government.

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Presiding at Mass amidst the grandeur of St. Mark's Square in Venice, Pope Francis issues a call for encounter, inclusion, and care for our common home, noting that beauty must be available to all.

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As he visits the Italian city of Venice, Pope Francis urges young people to make themselves a gift for other people by focusing on how we can help someone else instead of complaining about being alone or misunderstood.

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Pope Francis begins his pastoral visit to Venice at the Giudecca Women’s Prison, where he tells female inmates that he very much wanted to meet them to tell them they hold a special place in his heart.

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Addressing artists in the Giudecca's women's prison facility in Venice, Pope Francis invites everyone to imagine a world where no human being is considered a stranger.

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As the Italian city of Venice welcomes Pope Francis on Sunday morning, our correspondent, Deborah Castellano Lubov, offers us a look ahead at the Pope’s scheduled events on the sidelines of the Venice Art Biennale.

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