Catholics in India Were Hoping for a Papal Visit

As Pope Francis began his tour to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Catholics in neighboring India regret missing a chance to meet him in their homeland, nostalgically recalling past papal visits, reported ucanews.com.

Pope’s Peace Mission to Myanmar

At a distance, it’s easy to judge Pope Francis’ visit to Myanmar, the first by a pope to this overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, in absolutes – will he or won’t he publicly acknowledge the plight of the Rohingya, for instance, or will his presence push the nation in the direction of greater democracy and peace, or won’t it?

In Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pope Travels to Peripheries

Pope Francis’ call to ‘go into the peripheries’ is real. In his brief pontificate, he has shown his concern for the poor by calling the Church ‘of the poor and for the poor.’ He has drawn the attention of the world leaders and all concerned by declaring Nov. 19 as a day of the world poor.

World Day of the Poor

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has written to all pastors and administrators in the diocese asking that they observe Pope Francis’ request to celebrate Sunday, Nov. 19, as the First World Day of the Poor.

Vatican Bans Sale of Cigarettes

Concerned by the damage caused by smoking, Pope Francis has banned the sale of cigarettes in Vatican City State.

Brooklyn Priest Become Taiwanese Citizen

A Maryknoll missionary priest from Brooklyn who has lived and served in Taiwan for most of the last 54 years joined with elementary school children to sing the Taiwan national anthem during National Day celebrations on Oct. 10.