Vatican City, Feb 12, 2015 / 12:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis said he was following “with concern” the news of hundreds of immigrants who perished in the Mediterranean Sea this week.

“I wish to assure you of my prayers for the victims, and encourage once again solidarity in order that no one lacks the necessary relief,” the Pope said Feb. 11.

Vatican City, Feb 11, 2015 / 12:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Two years to the day since Pope Benedict XVI told the world of his historic decision to step down from the papal office, those impacted by his pontificate say that his legacy is still burning bright.

“Pope Benedict's legacy is really very massive,” said Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary for the congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

Vatican City, Feb 11, 2015 / 08:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his general audience address Pope Francis said that children are gift to parents and society, and that there is no future for a civilization which views them as merely an inconvenience.

“A society that is not surrounded by children, that considers them a problem, a burden, has no future,” the Pope told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Feb. 11 general audience address.

Vatican City, Feb 10, 2015 / 05:47 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis made a surprise stop at a shantytown on his way to celebrate Mass at a Roman parish Feb. 8 – a “secret” plan that only the pontiff knew about and which prompted tears of joy from residents.