Local News
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.
Pope encourages immigrants, and their gifts, in Philadelphia speech
In his address before 40,000 people Sept. 26 at Independence Hall, Pope Francis urged religious freedom and told new arrivals to the U.S., "you bring many gifts to your new nation.”
Text of Pope Francis’ speech at Independence Hall
See the text of the pope's address Sept. 26 on religious freedom and immigration, which he delivered from the lectern used by President Lincoln for the Gettysburg Address.
Even outside cathedral’s doors, pope’s words sank into hearts
Tens of thousands of visitors stood outside the basilica Sept. 26 in Philadelphia to watch the Mass celebrated by Pope Francis on Jumbotron screens, pondering the words of his homily.