By Angela Cave Catholic News Service NEW YORK  — It wasn’t always comfortable waiting for papal events in New York — there were long lines, temperamental security personnel and dashed hopes for last-minute tickets — but when pilgrims did make it into events, the inconveniences quickly became memories when the …

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Riad Sargi and his family are glad to know that Pope Francis has not forgotten the suffering of the people of Syria. “I met Pope Francis two years ago in Rome. When I met him I asked him to do everything possible …

By Dennis Sadowski Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA — Pope Francis encouraged Pennsylvania’s Catholic clergy and women and men religious to challenge young people to develop “high ideals, generosity of spirit and love for Christ and the church.” In his first Mass in Philadelphia, Pope Francis recalled St. Katherine Drexel, a …

By David Agren Catholic News Service NEW YORK  — Pope Francis encouraged an audience of Catholic school students and immigrants to live with joy and dare to dream. He also highlighted the immigrant experience — in a way children could understand, comparing it to seeking acceptance and making friends in …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service 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 …

By Beth Griffin Catholic News Service NEW YORK  — Maryknoll Sister Noel Devine was determined to see Pope Francis. She is confined to a wheelchair and can’t speak because she has primary lateral sclerosis, a rare disease affecting the movement of her arms, legs and face. But her spirit and …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY  — There’s perhaps no other signature vehicle in the world more well-known than the popemobile. Tall and boxy or sleek and chic, it’s the one white ride that always catches people’s eye, mostly because of the special passenger waving inside. The popemobile …

Catholic News Service Although it was not part of his formal program, Pope Francis took time after Sunday Mass to visit Cuba’s ailing former leader, Fidel Castro. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said that after the Mass Sept. 20 in Havana’s Revolution Square, Pope Francis was driven to the …

By John Stegeman Catholic News Service CINCINNATI (CNS) — When Pope Francis becomes the first pope to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress Sept. 24, many will be watching on television or online. In downtown Cincinnati, residents, workers and tourists will be able to watch on a 30.5-by-42.5-foot …

Staff Report When Pope Francis lands in America next week, he will be just the fourth pontiff to visit the nation. All eyes of the world will follow Pope Francis from Rome, to Cuba, and finally to the US of A where he has a loaded schedule. With that in mind, …