FAITH/STORIES
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
September 26, 2015*
This morning I learned something about the history of this beautiful Cathedral: the story behind its high walls and windows. I would like to think, though, that the history of the Church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down. It is a story about generation after generation of committed Catholics going out to the peripheries, and building communities of worship, education, charity and service to the larger society.
Madison Square Garden, Sept. 25, 2015
Homily given by Pope Francis at Mass at Madison Square Garden, Sept. 25, 2015
We are in Madison Square Garden, a place synonymous with this city. This is the site of important athletic, artistic and musical events attracting people not only from this city, but from the whole world. In this place, which represents both the variety and the common interests of so many different people, we have listened to the words: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”(IS 9:1).
Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra
Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington
Wednesday September 23, 2015
Church leaders affirm commitment to family as world meeting kicks off
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServicePHILADELPHIA - Known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia will be "the city of family love" and the "world capital of families" during the four-day World Meeting of Families, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Pope tells Cubans that families are opportunities, not problems
By Ezra Fieser, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - Pope Francis ended his trip to Cuba by blessing the city of Santiago de Cuba and telling Cubans to treat family as an "opportunity" rather than a problem.
Pope calls for 'revolution of tenderness' in Cuba
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - Pope Francis called Cuban to a "revolution of tenderness" as he celebrated Mass in the Minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the country's patroness.
Visit to Cuban shrine gives pope quiet time for prayer
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - In one of the calmer, more intimate moments of his visit to Cuba, Pope Francis and the country's bishops offered special prayers to the Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre.
Pope Francis in Santiago: Learn to serve like Mary
Pope Francis has been presiding over Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Tuesday in Santiago. In his Homily, the Holy Father returned to the theme of “serving others” recalling the exemplary model of Our Lady, who the Pope said, “left her house and went out to serve.”
Pope to Cubans: Look to future with hope, but care for each other
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - A key task of a traveling pope is to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith. For Pope Francis in Cuba, that ministry took on added importance as Cuba and its people stand on the threshold of potentially epochal change.
Holguin Catholics experience the unimaginable: papal Mass in public
By Rhina Guidos, Catholic News ServiceHOLGUIN, Cuba - The scene would have been unimaginable a few years ago: A Catholic Mass in Holguin's Revolution Plaza, where May Day parades and other patriotic events exalting the Cuban Revolution take place.
From throne to popemobile: The pope’s ride rolls with the times
By Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY - While cruising past cheering crowds in Naples, Italy, earlier this year, Pope Francis received an unexpected gift. A local pizzeria owner jogging alongside the papal car jumped over the barrier and handed Francis a pizza, which the smiling pope willingly accepted.
Pope urges Cuba's youths, consecrated people to love and hope
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceHAVANA - In a hot and steamy cathedral after listening to a Daughter of Charity talk about her work with people with severe disabilities, Pope Francis set aside his prepared homily and spoke about serving those the world considers "useless."
Pope sends greetings, prayers to newly elected Assyrian patriarch
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis expressed his joy and "prayerful solidarity" to the new head of the Assyrian Church of the East, 73-year-old Catholicos Gewargis III.