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.
Author: Paula Katinas
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.
Lessons of Humility and Compassion: Queens Msgr. Reflects on His Time at the Vatican
Not everyone gets the chance to serve ice cream to the leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics, but Msgr. Cuong Pham did just that, once handing Pope Francis a dish of vanilla ice cream.
At the Easter Vigil the Light of the Sacraments Shine on 693 New Catholics
PROSPECT HEIGHTS — David Flowers, who recently retired after a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force, said serving in the military isn’t an easy life. “I saw a lot of things, very painful, very difficult,” he said. “I can see the worst of human nature in a lot of ways.” And for most of […]
Remembering Past Easters, Brooklyn Catholics See ‘Religion Coming Back’
Ed Wilkinson remembers growing up in Greenpoint in the 1950s, and gazing across the East River on Good Friday to see three consecutive Manhattan skyscrapers all with lighted windows in the shape of crosses.
St. Teresa of Avila May Face Possible Closure
St. Teresa of Avila Church, which was established in 1874, may have to close its doors, officials from the Diocese of Brooklyn told parishioners at a town hall on April 8.
Catholic Students Preach Acceptance, Raise Awareness for Those With Autism
Students at Holy Cross High School ditched their school uniforms for the day and wore T-shirts to class on April 11. But they didn’t get into trouble. That’s because they were doing it for a good cause — autism awareness