News
From Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, world’s Christians mark Jesus’ entry
JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The winding road from the Mount of Olives to the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem was alive with music and song in many languages as global pilgrims joined local Christian Palestinians in the traditional Palm Sunday procession commemorating Jesus' entry into the city.
Lebanese youths lament violence, emigration in Way of Cross reflections
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Meditating on Christ's passion and the ways people contribute to his suffering, Lebanese youths lamented the ongoing emigration from and violence in the Middle East, divisions among Christians, the abuse of women and children, and the promotion of abortion. But despite the hardships, horrors and despair, Christians are called to walk with Christ because "suffering, embraced in faith, is transformed into the path to salvation," the youths said in meditations for the March 29 Way of the Cross service at Rome's Colosseum.
Pope on Palm Sunday: Christ’s passion leads to joy
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis celebrated his first Palm Sunday Mass as pope March 24, telling an overflow crowd in St. Peter’s Square that Christ’s death on the cross is a source of eternal consolation and joy. “A Christian can never be sad. Never give way to discouragement,” the pope said in his homily, […]
Pope Francis meets retired Pope Benedict, says ‘we’re brothers’
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- With a warm embrace, a helping hand, shared prayer, a long discussion and lunch together, Pope Francis spent several hours with retired Pope Benedict XVI March 23 at the papal summer villa.
Thousands, including Philadelphians, expected to march for marriage Tuesday
More than 200 people from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will take part in the Marriage March to support traditional marriage Tuesday, March 26 in Washington, D.C., where thousands are expected to join them.
Colorado governor signs bill to legalize same-sex civil unions
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper March 21 signed into law a civil unions bill for same-sex couples that Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila said “harms families, civil liberties and the natural rights of all Colorado’s children.” The measure was approved by the state House March 12 and went to Hickenlooper for his signature. The Senate had […]
Archbishop: U.S. risks losing soul by ignoring immigrants’ humanity
The archbishop of Los Angeles called upon the United States to remember the humanity of men, women and children in the country illegally or risk losing its soul. Addressing the city's Jewish community March 19, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said the time has come for the U.S. to adopt comprehensive immigration to provide undocumented immigrants with a path to citizenship.
Despite close ties, pope skipped family barbecues to minister in slums
Even though Pope Francis is very close to his family, he would often skip their barbecues to spend Sundays or holidays in Buenos Aires' slums, the pope's sister said. "That's the way he is: totally devoted to the mission of a priest; he is the pastor of the least," said Maria Elena Bergoglio.
Vatican workers join pope for early morning Masses
Dressed in orange safety vests, green jumpsuits or other workers' attire, Vatican gardeners, garbage collectors and cleaning crews joined Pope Francis for a 7 a.m. Mass March 22. Usually in the Vatican, "we're the invisible ones," Luciano Cecchetti, coordinator of the Vatican gardeners and sanitation workers, told Vatican Radio after the Mass.
District One hoops champ Villa Maria plays family-style, win or lose
To say that most people figured Villa Maria Academy’s basketball team would have enough ammunition to make a bunch of noise in the postseason would be, well, inaccurate. For good reason. [hotblock] When you lose four standout starters and then need to rely on one primo performer and a horde of relatively inexperienced underclassmen, expectations […]