News
Pope decries death and exploitation at U.S.-Mexico border
Pope Francis pleaded for the plight of immigrants while warning those refusing to offer shelter and passage that their inhospitable attitudes were bringing about self-destruction as their hearts hardened and they "lost their sensitivity to pain."
Vatican invites head of al-Azhar to meet with pope to restart dialogue
A decades-old dialogue between al-Azhar and the Vatican started to fray in 2006, after now-retired Pope Benedict XVI gave a speech in Regensburg, Germany. Al-Azhar officials and millions of Muslims said the speech linked Islam to violence.
Young Caritas volunteer killed in shelling of Aleppo, Syria
Elias Abiad, 22, who had been volunteering for the church agency since 2014, was hit by mortar shells Feb. 13 in Aleppo, reported Fides, news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
People’s lives worth more than profits, pope tells Mexican biz leaders
Families in an industrial city of Mexico told Pope Francis of their financial struggles caused by low wages, but also of the stress of working long hours to earn a pittance. The pope said profits must be used for the common good.
Pope snaps at pilgrim who caused him to fall into boy in wheelchair
Excitement turned potentially dangerous as someone pulled Pope Francis over a child in a wheelchair trying to greet the pope, who scolded at the adult, "What is the matter? Don't be selfish!"
Pope tells Mexican prisoners society needs system of ‘social health’
Speaking in a prison previously plagued by riots in Mexico's most dangerous city, Pope Francis urged society not to lock up inmates and throw away the key, but instead proposed a focus on prevention and reintegration.
Hard data and people’s stories point to fewer Mexicans migrating to U.S.
Mexican immigration rates are in reverse, a reality that seems absent from political debates and the perception of many Americans. But Diana Martinez is proof of it. She just wants to go home to Mexico.
Malvern Retreat House names new leader
Mark Poletunow has been named president of the century-old retreat facility in Chester County, which is seeing growth in programs recently. He succeeds James Fitzsimmons, who is retiring.
Lenten reflection and prayer workshops
St. Stanislaus Parish, Lansdale, will host a morning reflection on Saturday, Feb. 20, and a series of workshops on four successive Thursday evenings at the parish center.
Building safe, sunny homes for seniors in need
Seniors on a limited income are lining up to apply for one of the new apartments being built by the Philadelphia Archdiocese in Kensington, while nearby in Port Richmond, seniors are settling in nicely at a similar new facility.