Pope Responds to Youthful Enthusiasm

My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, This article is written on my last day in Rio de Janeiro at the end of World Youth Day 2013 (#WYD13). As a bishop, this is the fifth World Youth Day I have participated in. Each one has been a unique and fulfilling experience for me, and, […]

Pope Outlines Temptations In Latin American Church

RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – Reducing the faith to a worldly ideology, prizing administrative efficiency over missionary zeal and exalting the role of clergy to the detriment of the laity are some of the major “temptations” undermining evangelization in Latin America, Pope Francis told Church leaders from the region. “The decision for missionary discipleship will […]

Pope appoints Brooklyn auxiliary bishop to head Diocese of Bridgeport

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Frank J. Caggiano of Brooklyn, N.Y., as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn. The appointment was announced July 31 in Washington by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Caggiano, 54, succeeds then-Bishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, who […]

On Flight Home, the Pope Reflects on Saints, Sinners

by Cindy Wooden ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM BRAZIL (CNS) – Pope Francis said he was responding to the clear wishes of the College of Cardinals when he set up commissions to study the Vatican bank, Vatican financial and administrative procedures and the reform of the Roman Curia. The pope also said he knows people […]

Seminarians Walk in the Footsteps of Pope Francis

by Antonina Zielinska RIO DE JANEIRO – Following Pope Francis’ footsteps, Father Ray Roden, spiritual director at the Cathedral House of Formation, Douglaston, took two local seminarians to the Varginha “favela,” or slum neighborhood. “It wasn’t cardboard houses or anything, but the standard of living was low,” said seminarian Mike Plona. “They were so cramped.” […]

Holy Surprise! Did You Hear What Pope Said?

From his pastoral visit to Brazil and his participation in World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, we are learning that Pope Francis is a pope of surprises. The new pope has made it clear that he is a man who wants to be close to people. He has asked for less security and greater […]

Diocesan Pilgrims Excited To Be in Rio with Pope

by Antonina Zielinska Rio De Janeiro – After an overnight flight riddled with delays, pilgrims from the Brooklyn Diocese landed Monday morning July 22 in Rio de Janeiro, ready to start a full day of their World Youth Day pilgrimage. “We are finally here, 224 strong!” exclaimed Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano during the welcoming Mass […]

Media Coins a Phrase: Pray with Pope

The DeSales Media Group, the parent company of The Tablet and NET-TV, launched Pray with the Pope, a website and corresponding mobile app that allows individuals and communities to dedicate prayer time in alignment with the Holy Father’s monthly intentions. Pray with the Pope is the first phase of a large-scale technology project designed to […]

Crowds Swarm Pope in Rio – Pope Greets Throngs Upon Arrival in Rio

by Francis X. Rocca RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – Hundreds of thousands of cheering people welcomed Pope Francis to Brazil July 22 as he made the first international trip of his pontificate to his native region of Latin America. The papal plane touched down at Rio’s international airport at 3:43 p.m. local time, and the […]

Pope Asks Permission to Visit

by Cindy Wooden and Francis X. Rocca RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – Pope Francis returned to his native Latin America July 22, asking for open hearts, even after the irrepressible crowds made it clear he had them. The 76-year-old pope’s first international trip involved a 12-hour flight from Rome, taking him back to the continent […]