Local News
Pope’s visit to city will be ‘a moment unlike any other,’ Archbishop Chaput says
In a statement, Archbishop Charles Chaput said Pope Francis’ presence will bring all of us – Catholic and non-Catholic alike – together in tremendously unifying and healing ways. We will be ready and we will welcome him joyfully with open arms and prayerful hearts!
It’s official: Pope Francis is coming to Philadelphia
UPDATED -- Pope Francis ended months of eager speculation by confirming he will visit Philadelphia next year. During a meeting on marriage at the Vatican this morning, Nov. 17, the pope said he intends to visit Philadelphia at the conclusion of the Sept. 22-25, 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.
Students write 10,000 letters inviting Pope Francis to Philadelphia
Students in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have been writing letters inviting Pope Francis to the city for next year's World Meeting of Families, and they'll all be delivered to Rome today. The students also learned school will be closed for three days next September for the congress.
Human and economic impact of climate change studied at Villanova
A panel discussion Tuesday night explored the effects of climate change on U.S. national security, the rural poor and emerging Catholic teaching on the topic.
Program for families’ congress stays positive, doesn’t shy away from issues
Discussions of sexuality are only part of the program of talks for the 2015 World Meeting of Families made public this week. Relationships in the family, with God, and in the community and the world remain the focus, says the head of programming.
One year after Philippines’ typhoon, CRS helping to rebuild lives
Caroline Brennan, a representative of Catholic Relief Services, gave updates at two locations in the archdiocese last week on efforts to help Filipinos reclaim their livelihoods. She also spoke of her work with CRS for people in Middle East hot spots and around the world.
Black Catholics honor St. Martin with fervent prayers and songs
More than 500 people -- including nine Catholic priests and four parish choirs representing the Black Catholic community in the archdiocese -- filled St. Ignatius Church in West Philadelphia to celebrate St. Martin de Porres’ canonization.
Registration for World Meeting of Families opens
Philadelphia formally opened its arms to the world as Archbishop Charles Chaput told the Catholic bishops of the United States that registration has begun for the gathering of families next September in the city.
Archbishop Chaput addresses U.S. bishops
The archbishop announced that registration for the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia officially opened today during the annual fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore.
Archdiocese’s finances are improving, new statements show
The financial health of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia continues to recover, despite a persistent though shrinking deficit. A key measure shows the core operating deficit at $3.1 million for fiscal 2014, down from $4.9 million in fiscal 2013 and $17.6 million in fiscal 2012.