Sisters from the Servants of the Lord and the Virgin Matará, a cloistered religious community, reflect on their big day nearly a decade ago, when they met Pope Francis at JFK International Airport during his 2015 visit to New York.
Author: Paula Katinas
Queens Deacon Witnesses History, Recalls ‘Beautiful Moment’ With Pope
Deacon Paulo Salazar, a transitional deacon from Jackson Heights studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, was among the hundreds of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square to see Pope Leo XIV come onto the balcony to speak to the world for the first time as pontiff.
Diocese of Brooklyn Unites in Prayer as Conclave to Select New Pope Commences
Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass on May 7 at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston to celebrate the start of the conclave in Rome that will lead to the election of a new pope.
Faith Restored: St. Dominic Church Celebrates Return of Statues After Vandalism
Victoria Cirillo has been a parishioner of St. Dominic Church in Bensonhurst for most of her life, so when a hammer-wielding vandal destroyed two of the church’s statues 11 months ago, “it was devastating.”
Bishop Brennan, Diocesan Parishioners Say Goodbye to Pope Francis at Vigil Mass
On the eve of Pope Francis’ funeral — when the world would bid a final farewell to the beloved pontiff — Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a Vigil Mass of Repose for the “People’s Pope.”
Cementing His Love of Mary, Pope Chooses Marian Basilica as Burial Site
The decision by Pope Francis to break with tradition and be buried at the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome rather than the Vatican is shining a spotlight on the 5th-century basilica dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Papal Travel: A 291,000-Mile Journey of Faith and Solidarity
It’s not known if Pope Francis ever suffered from jet lag, but the Holy Father logged a lot of air miles during his papacy, traveling to dozens of countries to spread the message of Jesus Christ’s love of mankind.
A Seat at the Table: Laypeople Gain Influence Under Revolutionary Papacy
Pope Francis’ papacy was known for many things, but one that stood out to many was his openness to having laypeople and women wield influence inside the Catholic Church and for his welcoming stance toward the LGBTQ+ community.
An Unforgettable Meeting With the Pope at JFK
When Julia Bruzzese met Pope Francis nearly a decade ago as a 12-year-old, she said it changed her life. Now, she wants to change the lives of others.
Brooklyn Parishioners Grieve the Loss of Pope Francis: A Tribute to Hope and Compassion
Parishioners from the Diocese of Brooklyn gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James on April 21 – the day Pope Francis died – as Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a Mass to remember the late pontiff.