U.S. papal visit
Throngs fill Benjamin Franklin Parkway for pope’s final US Mass
By Kimberly Winston — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) The crowds waved yellow-and-white Vatican flags, purchased outside the gates, and held handfuls of rosaries brought from home to be blessed -- somehow -- by the passing of the man in the white car.
Francis bids farewell, tells Catholics to avoid ‘perversion’ of ‘narrow’ faith
By David Gibson — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) In his final Mass before nearly 1 million people, the pope called on the Catholic Church to be open to everyone and to change -- flashpoint themes for a major Vatican meeting of bishops next week.
Inspired by Pope Francis, 360 volunteers minister to homeless people
By Corie Wilkins — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Bands of volunteers came here not to see Pope Francis, but to minister to the homeless.
Pope to prisoners: I stand before you a brother
By Kimberly Winston — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Pope Francis delivered a message to inmates at a correctional facility here: It is a "lie that no one can change."
‘God weeps,’ says Pope Francis, calling for accountability on sex abuse crimes
By David Gibson — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) “For those who were abused by a member of the clergy, I am deeply sorry for the times when you or your family spoke out, to report the abuse, but you were not heard or believed," the pope said.
Pope to bishops: Don’t blame others for gay marriage, family problems
By David Gibson — September 27, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Pope Francis said a church that constantly explains doctrines without providing real support to families “is dangerously unbalanced.”
Pope Francis hails America’s freedoms, but saves strongest praise for the nation’s immigrants
By David Gibson — September 26, 2015
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) The pontiff had a chance to endorse the U.S. bishops' religious liberty battles against gay rights and the contraception mandate. But he passed.
Pope Francis plays Madison Square Garden before bidding NY farewell
By David Gibson — September 25, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) The arena famous for boxing matches and rock concerts was turned into a hushed cathedral, as Francis exhorted listeners to go out and accompany those who are rejected and lost in the "deafening anonymity" of the great metropolis.
Black Catholics: Pope will meet ‘vibrant, active part of the church’
By Adelle M. Banks — September 24, 2015
(RNS) “Black Catholics are more engaged in their faith,” said Deacon Bill Bradley of the Philadelphia Archdiocese's Office for Black Catholics. “They’re not just there to pass through and say, ‘My 45 minutes is up and I did my duty.’ ”
Pope Francis to Congress: ‘Stop fighting, start working!’
By David Gibson — September 24, 2015
(RNS) Francis carefully laid out a vision of political cooperation for the common good -- one that highlighted economic injustice as a chief threat to family life and stressed the moral imperative to care for the environment.
Pope Francis canonizes, and defends, controversial Spanish missionary Junipero Serra
By David Gibson — September 23, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) But in his homily at the Mass, the first on his historic visit to the U.S., the pontiff made scant mention of the new saint. He instead blasted the church's "frozen elites" and said Catholics need to get out of their comfort zones and serve others.
Pope Francis to bishops: Reject ‘harsh and divisive’ battles, be open to others
By David Gibson — September 23, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) In a personal and powerful talk, Francis gave the American bishops a new set of marching orders, away from the tempting path of culture warriors and toward an "inclusive" approach that stresses dialogue.
Pope at White House: Fight global warming, protect religious freedom
By David Gibson — September 23, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) In his first remarks on American soil, Pope Francis told President Obama and a huge crowd at the White House that the U.S. must safeguard religious freedom and stressed the “urgency” of battling global warming.
As Francis arrives in DC, fans of all stripes welcome, watch and wait
By Adelle M. Banks — September 22, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) Before Pope Francis even landed, fans gathered at watch parties awaiting his arrival or declaring their support of some of his favorite issues.
Pope Francis arrives, reassures US: ‘I’m a Catholic, not a communist!’ (ANALYSIS)
By David Gibson — September 22, 2015
(RNS) Francis is a force to be reckoned with. It’s just that no one is sure exactly how, or whether, the reckoning will happen, or what effect it could have. But everyone is scrambling to try to keep ahead of an unpredictable pontiff.
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