As Pope Leo XIV prepares to release his first encyclical, we look at how these documents have transformed from short circulars into massive theological texts.
The Apollo 11 astronauts left a signed letter from Pope Paul VI on the moon, which included the entirety of Psalm 8.
The Good Pope, God’s Athlete, the Pilgrim Pope … These are just a few of the curious nicknames that the faithful have given to popes throughout history.
The Pope visited the Holy Land in 1964. He considered three lessons to learn from the Holy Family and his reflection is now part of the Office of Readings.
When Paul VI took the first papal airplane trip in 1964, he went to the most significant place possible. But his successors' first trips were also revealing.
St. Paul VI's miracles reveal the depth of his mission to stand up for the most vulnerable, both as pope and from heaven.
During a homily on the feast of the Ascension, St. Paul VI reflected on how the Ascension can guide our earthly journey and point us in the right direction.
Since 1964, all popes have taken this means of transport, and experienced sometimes unusual situations on board. Here are a few memorable papal plane events.
We take a look back at some of the most memorable journeys made by popes, starting with a trip by the first traveling pope of the modern era, Pope Paul VI.
Popes and the stars: In '69, Paul VI got to watch the landing from an Observatory, with an astronomer as guide. He later wrote to the "conquerors of the Moon."
Since Paul VI narrowly missed being crushed by falling rubble from the wall of the Holy Door in St. Peter's, the rite for opening the door has been simplified.
Paul VI wrote this document after a synod on evangelization. Pope Francis says it is still relevant today.
The astronauts on the first mission to land on the Moon took with them a small Vatican flag, which US President Richard Nixon later presented to Pope Paul VI.
Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras met on the slopes of the Mount of Olives in January 1964.
Popes are at times forced to cancel trips, mostly due to politics, armed conflicts, or health problems, but cancellations often turn out to be postponements.
With this key document from the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis laid out his priorities and revealed his closeness to the ideals of Paul VI. Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) turns 10.
By looking at certain aspects of the spirituality and life of Giovanni Battista Montini, we can all benefit from his example.
