News
Pope Francis says cold calling people is ‘not news’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Picking up the telephone and calling people out of the blue is no big deal for Pope Francis, according to a Vatican official. Msgr. Dario Vigano, director of the Vatican Television Center, said the pope told him that the many calls the journalists have brought to light are just the tip of the iceberg: "Good thing they don't know about all the ones I have made!" the pope reportedly said. "That's the way I am; I've always done this."
St. John’s Hospice marks 50 years of serving the homeless with gala
When St. John’s Hospice, which conducts Philadelphia’s most celebrated feeding program for poor and homeless men, held its 50th Anniversary Gala, it chose to do so at its near neighbor, the Reading Terminal Market. The market is a celebrated institution in its own right -- after all, it has been feeding Philadelphians since 1892. Approximately 400 supporters of St. John’s, led by Archbishop Charles Chaput, crowded into the venerable market after hours on Sept. 7 to enjoy the foods that have made it a Philadelphia treasure.
At Father Judge HS, strong leaders emerge from strong football program
The Father Judge High School football team appears to possess an uncommon collective maturity for people who are still teenagers. In their first two games of the season, the Crusaders have experienced a myriad of emotions. It began with a 30-22 loss to Episcopal Academy, a game in which a nightmare start – a 30-8 […]
Bishop blesses growing school community at St. Andrew, Drexel Hill
Bishop Daniel Thomas visited the Delaware County school to celebrate Mass to begin the new school term Sept. 11. He also blessed and dedicated two renovated school buildings at the parish, which is seeing the fruits of stewardship.
Pope Francis celebrates the church as loving ‘mamma’
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis gave pilgrims attending his weekly public audience Sept. 11 what he called a "homework assignment" to find out the date they were baptized and celebrate it every year.
Professor to speak on science and religion at seminary
Professor Brad Gregory will present his talk on “Science vs. Religion? The Compatibility of Catholicism and the Natural Sciences” tonight, Sept. 12, at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood. The program begins at 7 p.m., and the cost for attending is $5. The talk is part of Archbishop Charles Chaput’s Year of Faith lecture series. Gregory is […]
Writers reflect on U.S., Mexican migration 10 years after joint pastoral
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A decade after the bishops of Mexico and the United States issued their first joint pastoral letter on the immigration-related challenges facing their countries, a panel of commentators observed that the situation remains much the same.
‘It’s a girl!’ Joyful words in U.S., dangerous words in India, China
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the United States, hearing the words "it's a girl," is a cause for enormous joy and celebration for most, said Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. "Today, the three most dangerous words in China and India are: It's a girl," Smith said told a congressional hearing Sept. 10.
New book: Pope ran clandestine network to save suspected dissidents
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- While a military-backed dictatorship in Argentina was conducting a clandestine war on suspected dissidents, then-Father Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future pope, masterminded a secret strategy to save those being targeted, according to a new book.
Pope, writing in secular newspaper, urges dialogue with nonbelievers
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Writing in one of Italy’s major secular newspapers, Pope Francis called for a “sincere and rigorous dialogue” between the church and nonbelievers as an “intimate and indispensable expression” of Christian love. The pope’s words appeared in a 2,600-word letter published in the Sept. 11 edition of the Rome daily La Repubblica, […]