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National & World News
The family is the answer to world’s brokenness, blandness, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — The family is the answer to the two extremes facing the world — fragmentation and “homogenization,” in which everything is forced to be the same, Pope Francis said. The family based on marriage between a man and a woman is the …
Pope Francis makes unscheduled stop at St. Joseph’s University
By Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis made an unscheduled stop at Jesuit-run St. Joseph’s University Sept. 27, greeting campus officials, students and religious leaders. The pope made the visit on his way en route from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he was staying, to downtown Philadelphia for the …
Serra canonization should awaken mission spirit, says head of Extension
By Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service “We have to awaken our mission spirit in the United States,” said Father Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, in a phone interview with Catholic News Service. “You can’t do that just by being in the sanctuary. The good news is meant to be …
Testimonies of keeping the faith during trying times bring many to tears
By Elizabeth Fisher Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Marita Thomas was among those in the crowd at the Festival of Families Sept. 26 who were moved to tears as they listened to families selected to come onstage to tell Pope Francis how they coped with hardship by clinging to God. …
Argentine family on 13,000-mile road trip to Philadelphia to see pope
By Kate Turgeon Watson Catholic News Service RALEIGH, N.C. — The Walker family filed through the side entrance of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh. A bag on her shoulder and a 3-year-old on her hip, mom Noel Zemborain smiled. A pack at his waist, dad Catire Walker held the door …
Pope urges U.S. Catholics to keep enthusiasm, welcome newcomers
By David Agren Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis ended his trip to the United States with a call for Catholics to keep the enthusiasm of the visit, while continuing to welcome newcomers and care for creation. “Do not let your enthusiasm for Jesus, his church, our families, and …
Dublin to host next World Meeting of Families — in 2018
By Laura Ieraci Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — 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. Irish pilgrim Mary Fitzgibbon’s reaction was raw when she spoke with …
Memory and motion: Pope Francis shows Americans who he really is
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis speaks often about memory and motion, the importance of remembering where you came from and setting off without fear to share the Gospel. That’s what he did in the United States. He circled the Statue of Liberty in a helicopter …
Pope says he left U.S. praying for, impressed by its people
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM PHILADELPHIA — As the American Airlines plane taking him to Rome from Philadelphia took off, Pope Francis said he pictured the faces of all the people he met, and he prayed for them. At the end of his first-ever …
Serve, care for each other, pope tells families at closing Mass
By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis urged the hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families to serve and care for each other as freely as God loves the human family. The pope called upon the faithful to …