FAITH/STORIES
VATICAN CITY - For World Communications Day 2016, Pope Francis has chosen the theme "Communication and Mercy: A fruitful encounter."
Expert: Healing possible for victims, perpetrators of domestic violence
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServicePHILADELPHIA - Help and healing is possible for Catholic families suffering with violence in the home, said psychologist Christauria Welland.
Attendees of World Meeting of Families help break Guinness world record
By George P. Matysek Jr., Catholic News ServicePHILADELPHIA - As confetti rained down and cheers filled the air on the final day of the World Meeting of Families Sept. 25, a family from Argentina applied brushstrokes to a mural depicting Pope Francis -- pushing the number of contributors to the paint-by-numbers mural past 2,263 and into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Dublin to host next World Meeting of Families -- in 2018
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServicePHILADELPHIA - Irish pilgrims in Philadelphia shared their excitement after Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, announced the 2018 World Meeting of Families would be held in Dublin.
Closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis
Closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families
*Philadelphia, September 27, 2015
Today the word of God surprises us with powerful and thought-provoking images. Images which challenge us, but also stir our enthusiasm. In the first reading, Joshua tells Moses that two members of the people are prophesying, speaking God's word, without a mandate. In the Gospel, John tells Jesus that the disciples had stopped someone from casting out evil spirits in the name of Jesus. Here is the surprise: Moses and Jesus both rebuke those closest to them for being so narrow! Would that all could be prophets of God's word! Would that everyone could work miracles in the Lord's name!
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
September 26, 2015*
This morning I learned something about the history of this beautiful Cathedral: the story behind its high walls and windows. I would like to think, though, that the history of the Church in this city and state is really a story not about building walls, but about breaking them down. It is a story about generation after generation of committed Catholics going out to the peripheries, and building communities of worship, education, charity and service to the larger society.
Madison Square Garden, Sept. 25, 2015
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).
Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra
Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Junípero Serra
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington
Wednesday September 23, 2015
Church leaders affirm commitment to family as world meeting kicks off
By Laura Ieraci, Catholic News ServicePHILADELPHIA - Known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia will be "the city of family love" and the "world capital of families" during the four-day World Meeting of Families, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Pope tells Cubans that families are opportunities, not problems
By Ezra Fieser, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - Pope Francis ended his trip to Cuba by blessing the city of Santiago de Cuba and telling Cubans to treat family as an "opportunity" rather than a problem.
Pope calls for 'revolution of tenderness' in Cuba
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - Pope Francis called Cuban to a "revolution of tenderness" as he celebrated Mass in the Minor Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the country's patroness.
Visit to Cuban shrine gives pope quiet time for prayer
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceSANTIAGO, Cuba - In one of the calmer, more intimate moments of his visit to Cuba, Pope Francis and the country's bishops offered special prayers to the Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre.
Pope Francis in Santiago: Learn to serve like Mary
Pope Francis has been presiding over Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Tuesday in Santiago. In his Homily, the Holy Father returned to the theme of “serving others” recalling the exemplary model of Our Lady, who the Pope said, “left her house and went out to serve.”