By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — There is no single way for every person at a papal Mass, or even near one, to be excited. Whether on one’s feet or in one’s seat, people feel a certain tingle when they know the pope of the Roman Catholic …

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 Kurt Jensen Catholic News Service WASHINGTON  — “Paaaaapaaaaa!” Popes in popemobiles create, as they always do, a sort of undulating ecstasy in the faithful who have traveled to see them. It was no different for Pope Francis as his heavily guarded Jeep Wrangler made a brief trip around the …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CUBA — Pope Francis defended his position on the economy, the environment and other social issues as faithful repetitions of the basic Catholic social doctrine. Speaking to reporters flying with him from Cuba to Washington Sept. 22, the pope was …