WASHINGTON (CNS) — The 11,000 ticketed guests and a cast of hundreds extra — military units, musicians and federal employees — who waited on the White House lawn to greet Pope Francis Sept. 23 were clearly there as fans of the visiting pope. As the sun rose over a spectacularly blue September sky, a cross…
By Joe Towalski The Visitor Some three dozen pilgrims from the Diocese of St. Cloud joined nearly 20,000 from more than 100 countries for the opening day of the World Meeting of Families Sept. 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The Minnesota pilgrims arrived just hours before Pope Francis landed in Washington, D.C.,…
Joe Towalski, editor of The Visitor, is traveling with the diocesan pilgrimage to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. By Joe Towalski The Visitor As you can imagine, the World Meeting of Families, with its approximately 20,000 participants from more than 100 countries, is a good venue for vendors selling WMF and papal souvenirs,…
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Despite repeated questions from journalists on what Pope Francis will say to President Barack Obama, a joint meeting of Congress and the United Nations on any range of potential subjects, Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi advised everyone to wait and listen for themselves. During a Sept. 22 news conference in Washington…
ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CUBA (CNS) — 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 asked about comments, mainly from the United States, claiming…
LEAWOOD, Kan. (CNS) — Before he became the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was known to wander the streets of Rome on foot, searching for a good cup of coffee. “He’s a big fan of taste and texture and body,” said Tracy Allen, owner of the coffee consultancy Brewed Behavior and a parishioner…
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Cooking for 1,900 people, no problem. Cooking for the pope? Now that requires extra care. Chefs Michael McDonald and Irshaad Ellis-Bey say they are up to the challenge. Both men are heading the effort of the Washington Archdiocese’s Catholic Charities Enterprises catering service in preparing a meal for 500 guests, including Pope…
SANTIAGO, Cuba (CNS) — 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. While only about 60 percent of Cubans are baptized Catholics, the little statue of Our Lady of Charity, discovered 400…
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Peasant farmer Emiliano Navarrete lost his son one year ago, in an attack on 43 teacher trainees in southern Guerrero state. He still holds out hope that his son, Jose Angel Navarrete, 18, and his classmates are alive, even though Mexican investigators insist the 43 young men were kidnapped and killed…
TAYBEH, West Bank (CNS) — As Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem once again became embroiled in violence, locals and guests in Taybeh were enjoying ice-cold beers, grilled meats, frosted doughnuts and throbbing music as the all-Christian Palestinian village celebrated its 11th Oktoberfest. “This gathering is good,” said a beaming Nadim Khoury, who together with his…
