U.S. Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Simone Biles says when she travels, she sometimes takes with her a statue of St. Sebastian, the patron saint of athletes, and she also carries a rosary her mother gave her.
Rio de Janeiro
Youth Views from World Youth Day in Brazil
What has been your experience of in WYD Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, thus far? Marie Tronsor, 22 St. Gerard Majella, Hollis Everyone here watches out for each other, even if we are not part of the same group. Christopher Luna, 22 Our Lady of Sorrows, Corona Coming to WYD, I didn’t […]
Summer Recharges Our Batteries
My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, Now that we are midway through our summertime, a time for leisure and vacation, perhaps reflection on the meaning of leisure time may help us to truly use this down time that most of us have during the summer months. In the past, summers were a time […]
We’re on the Ground in Rio with WYD Delegates
As The Tablet goes to press this week, Pope Francis is marking his second day in Rio de Janeiro where he has traveled for World Youth Day. The Brooklyn Diocese has sent more than 200 young people to the international gathering, making it the largest total from any diocese in the U.S. and third among […]
400,000 Brave Wind, Rain for WYD Opening Mass on Copacabana Beach
by Lise Alves RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) — The mosaic of hundreds of national flags waving in the cold wind on Copacabana beach was symbolic, as pilgrims from all backgrounds, driven by a single faith, participated in the opening Mass for World Youth Day. “We come from different cultures, speak different languages, but we sing […]
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 […]
World Youth Day 2013 Slideshows
Check out these slideshows from World Youth Day 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo credit Tablet reporter Antonina Zielinska)
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 […]
Protests Are Aimed at Government, Not Pope
by Lise Alves RIO DE JANEIRO (CNS) – The dream of trying to see Pope Francis up close ended at a police barricade for 74-year-old Odaleia Bastos. “I don’t understand why we can’t get closer,” she said as she argued with police officers. “The population will protect the pope,” she kept telling them. Bastos, like […]