News
Back in Rome, pope reflects on family and Philadelphia
Pope Francis praised the piety of the city, its archbishop and the United States, "which achieved the highest economic and technological development ... without renouncing its religious roots,” he said.
Vatican confirms pope met Kentucky clerk, won’t comment further
The Vatican does not deny reports that while in Washington, Pope Francis briefly met with Kim Davis, the county clerk from Kentucky who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses.
Watching papal Mass in their church, parishioners join in spirit
While thousands of people attended the papal Mass last Sunday in Philadelphia, many other Catholics across the archdiocese stayed close to home to view the Mass on a widescreen TV in their parish church.
Finding of water on Mars may reveal God’s personality
There is water on Mars, and maybe life in the water. Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno surmises that whether we are the only life in the universe or not, "either way, we learn more about who the creator is."
Virginia infant, clad in a tilma, gets kiss, blessing from Pope Francis
For the three nights leading up to the pope's arrival in Washington, Iris Chavez, 25, worked on a tilma for her 5-month-old son, Loukas, to wear to see the pope along Constitution Avenue.
Text of Pope Francis’ talk with Philadelphia prisioners
Read the address of the pope during his visit to Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Theme for 2016 communications day to focus on mercy, dialogue
As the church celebrates the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy, which begins Dec. 8, the pope also wanted to invite deeper reflection on the link between communication and mercy, said a statement from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. The Vatican announced the theme Sept. 29.
Text of papal address to bishops at St. Charles Seminary
Read Pope Francis' speech to bishops on Sunday at the seminary, in which he said "God weeps" over the sexual abuse of children, which "must no longer be held in secret," he said. He also called for pastors to tenderly "waste time" with families.
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.