Pope Makes ‘Mercy Friday’ Visit to Rescued Women

Continuing his Year of Mercy practice of going one Friday a month to visit people facing special struggles, Pope Francis paid a surprise visit to a community helping 20 young women get their lives back together after being rescued from prostitution.

The Transforming Effect Of World Youth Day

I recently came back from covering the diocese’s contingent to the World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow. It was a blessing and a humbling experience to accompany the 600 teens and young adults from Brooklyn and Queens and try to chronicle how this WYD pilgrimage affected their lives.

Pope Says World Is at War But It Is Not Religious

An economy that focuses on the God of money, not human beings, is the foundation of terrorism, Pope Francis said. Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight from Krakow, Poland, July 31, the pope also stressed that violence exists in all religions, including Catholicism, and it cannot be pinned to one single religion.

Commission to Study Women Deacons

Pope Francis appointed six men and six women, including U.S. scholar Phyllis Zagano, to a commission to study the issue of women deacons in the church.

Pope Urges Young People to Take Risks

“Even today we can risk not getting close to Jesus because we don’t feel big enough, because we don’t think ourselves worthy. This is a great temptation; it has to do not only with self-esteem, but with faith itself,” Pope Francis said.

Next WYD Stop – Panama

“So now I am happy to announce that the next World Youth Day – after the two that will be held on the diocesan level – will take place in 2019 in Panama,” Pope Francis told the youth.

WYD Report: Opening Day with Slide Show

“It’s pretty amazing just to be here for the first time with so many more blessings that I can bring back to my parish,” said pilgrim Jilenny Duran, 16.

Pope Falls in Poland, Is Not Hurt

Pope Francis falls while using incense at the start of July 28 Mass to mark the 1,050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland near the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa during his World Youth Day visit.

Diocesan Pilgrims Make Final Preps for WYD

In the final week before heading to Krakow, Poland, for World Youth Day (WYD), local pilgrims met with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio to pray and go over final preparations. The official diocesan contingent is comprised of 400-pilgrims, including 23 priests and three bishops.