September 26, 2015

New York Pope

Perhaps the ultimate New York accolade for Pope Francis was on sale Friday at newsstands throughout the city. The gritty, often bombastic New York Post changed its name to the New York Pope for a day when the pope seemed to be all over the city.
Published in Francis in America

Homily given by Pope Francis at Mass at Madison Square Garden, Sept. 25, 2015

We are in Madison Square Garden, a place synonymous with this city. This is the site of important athletic, artistic and musical events attracting people not only from this city, but from the whole world. In this place, which represents both the variety and the common interests of so many different people, we have listened to the words: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”(IS 9:1).

Published in Reflections

NEW YORK - Seeing New York for the first time in his 78 years of life, Pope Francis said he knew Madison Square Garden was an important gathering place for sporting events and concerts. For him, it was transformed into a chapel in the heart of the Big Apple.

Published in Francis in America

NEW YORK - Pope Francis has come to the powerful to demand limits on power. He came to open a session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Sept. 25, to speak to the world’s diplomatic elite and the powerful forces they represent on behalf of the “victims of power badly exercised.”

Published in Francis in America

NEW YORK - The Pope’’s tour of the United States has the power to re-engage Catholics in a broad range of work for justice and to rediscover a broader, more Catholic perspective, Kate Bini said shortly after Pope Francis’ address to the United Nations.

Published in Francis in America

NEW YORK - In two days Pope Francis has spoken to some of the most powerful people on Earth —– U.S. senators and Congress representatives and the world diplomatic community at the United Nations.

Published in Francis in America

NEW YORK - In a grand yet intimate prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Sept. 24, Pope Francis exhorted the priests and women religious who filled the sanctuary to redouble their sacrifices on behalf of the faithful, but he reserved his greatest praise for American nuns who have often been viewed by Rome with deep suspicion.

Published in Francis in America

WASHINGTON - Benedict Zama looked out from her table and Pope Francis was coming toward her moments after he arrived at the St. Maria's Meal program of Catholic Charities of the Washington Archdiocese.

Published in Francis in America

WASHINGTON - "We can find no social or moral justification, no justification, no justification whatsoever, for lack of housing," Pope Francis told an audience of about 200 clients of Catholic Charities gathered at St. Patrick Church.

Published in Francis in America

NEW YORK - Pope Francis’ appeal to Congress on behalf of migrants has heartened New Yorkers, none more so that Franciscan Father Julian Jagudilla, director of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi’s Migrant Centre.

Published in Francis in America

WASHINGTON - The past, the promise and the potential of the United States must not be smothered by bickering and even hatred at a time when the American people and indeed the world need a helping hand, Pope Francis told the U.S. Congress.

Published in Francis in America

As Pope Francis presided at the canonization of St. Junipero Serra I was inside the Museum of the American Indian down on the southern tip of Manhattan Island —– the island purchased from the Canarsee nation in the 17th century with coloured beads.

Published in Francis in America

WASHINGTON - Canonizing the 18th-century Spanish missionary Junipero Serra, Pope Francis insisted a person's faith is alive only when it is shared.

Published in Francis in America

NEW YORK - When free tickets to see Pope Francis’ procession through Central Park on Sept. 25 started appearing for sale at huge markups on web sites like Craigslist and eBay, the reaction was swift and strong.

Published in Francis in America

WASHINGTON - In a deeply personal talk that blended poetry and a new set of marching orders for the U.S. hierarchy, Pope Francis told U.S. bishops to reject “harsh and divisive language” and to reach out to the world, especially those in need.

Published in Francis in America