Commentaries
An unforgettable journey
What the pope seemed to be telling us during his visit is that the process political leaders follow in trying to solve problems is deeply flawed, writes Moises Sandoval. Pope Francis is humbly illustrating another way, based on the Gospel.
The shoes of the fisherman on the feet of Francis
Catholic University President John Garvey believes we noticed the visit of Pope Francis last week so clearly because he paid so little attention to outward show.
At St. Junipero canonization Mass, a free-wheeling joy
Maureen Pratt saw the link from Pope Francis to Junipero Serra in the seminarians and novices at the Mass in Washington, and a tangible delight in meeting new faces and faith-graced love.
Joys of the papal visit weren’t just about the pope
Catholic Philly.com's editor writes the excitement of seeing Pope Francis among us last week tapped into a need to notice God in the world around us, and what happens when we do so.
Pope Francis: a model ministry
It is not every day that a Jewish kid gets to sit with the Holy Father. A rabbi speaking with the pope in New York last week reflects on what was otherwise a quiet week on the Jewish calendar.
Pope Francis, religious freedom and Independence Hall
As a native Philadelphian, I'm proud of the city's Independence Hall, the Pennsylvania Statehouse that became the birthplace of the United States when the Founding Fathers approved the Declaration of Independence there in 1776.
Anti-Catholic bigotry fails to dampen call to love in Philadelphia
"Enter that line and you enter the path of destruction!" That's what a man holding a sign filled with Bible verses screamed to me as I came close to a security checkpoint for access to the much-anticipated papal Mass in Philadelphia Sept. 27.
The shadow of Peter fell on America last week
A priest who serves the Holy See’s press office writes that Pope Francis came into his own with his visit to Cuba and America last week. And his visit healed, just as the first pope.
Can’t travel to explore your faith? Try a virtual pilgrimage
When Maureen Pratt could not join fellow parishioners on a pilgrimage to Spain and Portugal, her pastor set up a digital way to involve folks back home every step of the way.
Becoming a nation of service and a better America
Drift and purposelessness are widespread among young people, writes Father William Byron. They could be transformed by giving a year or two of service.