News
Philadelphians among couples to attend bishops’ synod in Rome
Catherine and Anthony Witczak of Philadelphia, leaders in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter, were appointed by Pope Francis to join the synod that will debate family issues in the church, in October.
The pope and ‘the queen’ will lift souls at festival
Aretha Franklin, the "queen of soul," will belt out quintessentially American music with a slate of entertainers before Pope Francis at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia.
New USA Catholic Church app offers coverage of papal visit
The official app "brings together information from all Catholic sources: parishes, dioceses, the U.S. bishops and even the Vatican," said a Sept. 15 announcement.
Tickets for parishioners begin arriving at parishes
Representatives of archdiocesan parishes stopped into the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Monday, Sept. 14 to pick up tickets to public papal events.
One-day passes allow World Meeting access for selected sessions
Registration for the four-day World Meeting of Families may be closed, but people are invited to review the sessions and buy one-day passes to join in the congress.
Shocker at Mass: Family learns they’re going to meet the pope
The Bowes family of St. Christopher Parish in Northeast Philadelphia was surprised learn at Sunday Mass that they’ve been chosen to greet Pope Francis when he arrives in the city Sept. 26.
Pope Francis’ U.N. address comes on the foundation of his predecessors
Pope Francis' address to the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 25 will mark the fifth papal speech delivered directly to representatives of the world's governments.
Little engine that could: Pope coaxes Vatican to open railway to villa
Pope Francis' desire for a church whose doors are wide open isn't just a metaphor for encouraging a greater spirit of welcoming.
Gomez: Bill lets doctor OK meds for ‘express purpose’ of killing a person
California's newly passed measure to legalize assisted suicide for the terminally ill "is no way for our government to make policy on a life and death issue that will affect millions of individuals and families," said Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.
Pope talks friendship, pardon, immigrant crisis in radio interviews
A pope needs friends, needs mercy and needs to reach out to all people, Pope Francis said in two radio interviews released in mid-September.