News
‘Happy’ about warming of U.S.-Cuba relations, pope praises diplomacy
Pope Francis expressed his joy over the historic turning point in U.S.-Cuba relations as the two countries agreed to restore diplomatic ties after half a century.
Cardinal cuts ties with Priests for Life, says reforms in group needed
New York Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan said he wants "nothing further to do" with Priests for Life, which has its headquarters on Staten Island, which is in the New York Archdiocese.
Cubans see it’s ‘time to move on,’ says local Cuba-born Catholic
Jorge Fernandez of Bucks County, who escaped Cuba at age 9, knows most Cubans support normalizing relations with the U.S. He credits Pope Francis, with whom he lived for a week last year, for the breakthrough.
Christians can’t ignore differences on life issues, pope says
Christianity has something to say about human dignity, and "it would be a shame" if differing positions on the sanctity of all human life or on marriage were to increase the divisions among Christian churches and communities, Pope Francis said.
Christmas is a sign that God works in history to save people, pope says
God acts in history to save his people, at times even testing them, rather than simply making them in a petri dish and saving them "aseptically, in a laboratory," Pope Francis said.
Today’s teaching on the family
See the daily excerpt from the preparatory catechesis for the 2015 World Meeting of Families, “Love is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive.”
Church leaders pleased that U.S.-Cuba will rebuild relations
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami described the news as a "game changer" and welcomed the work of Pope Francis in encouraging the two countries together to settle their long-standing differences. "Pope Francis did what popes are supposed to do: build bridges and promote peace," he said.
Pope Francis credited for urging U.S., Cuba to normalize relations
The pope's actions were part of a major diplomatic effort by the Vatican, which hosted direct talks between American and Cuban officials. A letter by the pope "gave greater impetus and momentum for us to move forward," an Obama administration official said.
Bishop Shanahan to host Christmas Concert and Art Exhibit
All are invited by the Downingtown high school's Fine Arts Department to enjoy music by bands and choruses as well as mixed media art works at the school on Dec. 19.
Happy birthday, Holy Father
On the occasion of his 78th birthday today, Pope Francis started a series of talks in Rome on the family with a reflection on the Holy Family as a model for all Christian families. The series will prepare for October 2015 Synod of Bishops on the family.