Pope Francis told the world when he was elected Pope: “Do not be afraid of tenderness, mercy and goodness.” His vision for the church is “that the one thing the church needs today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm hearts.” In this spirit, he has declared that we will have a Jubilee Year of Mercy beginning on December 8, 2015.

According to Father Anthony Ciora, the Catholic Church turned a page in its two thousand year history at the Second Vatican Council and opened a new chapter with the election of Pope Francis in 2013. We have a new and exciting vision for who we are as Church, our mission in the world, the role of the laity, and how we relate with other religions.

Everybody who attended the talk left feeling inspired and more excited than ever for the Holy Father's visit to America.

Fr. Anthony Ciora was ordained a priest in 1973. His experience has included parish life, teaching, administration, retreat work, preaching, and formation ministries. He has graduate degrees in psychology, history, and pastoral theology, and a certificate in Spiritual Direction. He has a Ph. D. in Theology from Fordham University. He is currently assistant Vice President for Mission and Catholic identity and Professor of Theology at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut.