News

Statue of St. Junipero Serra defaced at California’s Carmel Mission

Days after St. Junipero Serra was canonized by Pope Francis in Washington, a statue of the 18th-century Franciscan missionary and other property at the Carmel Mission where the saint is buried, were defaced.

Connecticut composer’s song performed at closing Mass in Philadelphia

A song by composer Julian Revie, who has "been performing pretty much weekly" as a church organist since he was 11, was performed at the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families Sept. 27 in Philadelphia.

Text of pope’s talk at Festival of Families

Read excerpts of Pope Francis' impromptu remarks -- he departed from a prepared speech -- at Saturday night's Festival of Families in Philadelphia.

China’s media focus on Xi, black out papal visit to U.S.

Competing with Pope Francis was never going to be easy. So China's state media gave their leader a helping hand over the past week, all but ignoring the pope as President Xi Jinping made his own tour of the United States, reported ucanews.com.

Dublin to host next World Meeting of Families — in 2018

Irish pilgrims in Philadelphia shared their excitement after Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, announced the 2018 World Meeting of Families would be held in Dublin.

Pope asks youth to perform works of mercy in run-up to WYD

He asked that they not be afraid to experience God's "boundless mercy, so that in turn you may become apostles of mercy by your actions, words and prayers in our world, wounded by selfishness, hatred and so much despair."

‘A great blessing’ flowing all over city because of pope, says pilgrim

Two members of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico said they were delighted to see St. Kateri Tekakwitha's name etched onto a wall of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls' High School in Philadelphia just outside a security checkpoint at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sept. 27.

Excitement reigns among laity, religious before Philadelphia papal Mass

There is no single way for every person at a papal Mass, or even near one, to be excited. Whether on one's feet or in one's seat, people feel a certain tingle when they know the pope of the Roman Catholic Church is soon to be within their midst.

‘Let freedom ring!’ Respect for rights helps society, pope says

Not far from where the Liberty Bell is on display, Pope Francis urged the people of the United States to continue to "proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," as the bell's inscription says.

Pope delights Philly crowd with spontaneous talk on families

Pope Francis threw away a prepared text and, to the delight of tens of thousands of people on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, spoke from the heart about the challenges and love that come with being part of a family.