Opus Dei

The Bible says nothing to suggest we should celebrate birthdays. Birthday celebrations were associated with political rulers, like King Herod in the Gospel, who thought he deserved special attention every year. A pagan emperor or king would use his birthday to spread the message that he was blessed with special power because he was the son of one of the gods.

Pope Francis, in an interview with La Stampa in July 2015 said “Charity that does not change the situation of the poor isn’t enough.” The fire of charity has to warm the cold, the naked, the homeless, the lonely... The fire has to burn and it has to spread.

This Sunday, we celebrate Pope Leo XIV's birthday, a chance to get to know him better and pray for him more. Here are some highlights from his first four months as Roman Pontiff and the trailer for “Leo from Chicago,” an upcoming Vatican Media documentary about his early life.

In his 10 September general audience, Pope Leo XIV continued his catechetical cycle on Jesus Christ, our hope, speaking about Jesus' death.

A philological edition prepared by Fidel Sebastián, with a foreword by the prelate of Opus Dei and brief annotations that seek to bring its history and context closer to all audiences, to commemorate the book’s 100th edition in Spain.

Gustavo was going to be a notary, but thanks in part to his vocation to Opus Dei, he discovered that his true calling was in the world of communications. He has worked with brands such as Warner Music, L’Oréal, Vocento, and Bankinter, and with artists and public figures including Alejandro Sanz, Chambao, Miguel Bosé… and Pope Benedict XVI. He was the one who convinced the Vatican to open a Twitter account, and he says the happiest day of his life was when @pontifex sent out his first tweet.

Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect. (Leo XIV)

In his 3 September general audience, Pope Leo XIV continued his catechetical cycle on Jesus Christ, our hope, speaking about the Crucifixion.

Laura is 31 and lives in Valencia, Spain. She learned to pray when she was very young, and that shaped the rhythm and substance of her decisions. For her, responding to her vocation as a numerary was the beginning of a path she now walks in her work an administrator in Opus Dei, a role in which she combines her passion for creativity, communication, and care.

Marisol Manjares shares how faith, family, and determination carried her from humble beginnings to become an executive area chef in one of Metro Manila’s top restaurant groups.