Local News

Pope departs Philadelphia, leaving renewed church in his wake

The sun set as Pope Francis' plane prepared to leave for Rome Sunday evening. But for Catholics who witnessed his liturgies and heard his words of encouragement, part of his spirit remains.

Text of Pope Francis’ remarks at airport departure

The pope thanked benefactors and organizers of the just-concluded World Meeting of Families at a ceremony before boarding his plane to leave for Rome. "May God bless you all. God bless America!" he said.

Pope says he left U.S. praying for, impressed by its people

At the end of his first-ever visit to the United States, the pope told reporters he "was surprised by the warmth of the people" and how they were "so loving. It was beautiful."

Memory and motion: Pope Francis shows Americans who he really is

Pope Francis speaks often about memory and motion, the importance of remembering where you came from and setting off without fear to share the Gospel.

By train, cramped bus, roundabout routes, pilgrims make it to parkway

Among the pilgrims gathered for Pope Francis' Mass on Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sept. 27 was Nga Bich Tham, who was wearing a traditional hat of her native Vietnam.

Pope Francis makes unscheduled stop at St. Joseph’s University

The pope made the visit on his way en route from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he was staying, to downtown Philadelphia for the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families.

Like others in city, Pope Francis visits knotted prayers near cathedral

In an unplanned gesture before the papal Mass on Sunday, Pope Francis stopped his motorcade in front of the cathedral to visit the “Knotted Grotto” devotion.

Mass by Pope Francis inspires silent prayer, joyful praise from massive crowd

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics streamed into Philadelphia for Sunday's Mass celebrated by Pope Francis. He urged love within families and challenged Christians to reach out lovingly to everyone.

Pope Francis challenges bishops on sex abuse, pastoral outreach

Calling on bishops assembled Sunday morning at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary to "bind up the wounds of our time," the pope also said "God weeps" for victims of clergy sexual abuse, and promised accountability among bishops.

Party for thousands fills night with music, words of Pope Francis

Pope Francis spoke energetically about the love of God and gift of families during the Festival of Families Saturday night, Sept. 26, in Philadelphia.