Archive for July 24, 2013

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio. ?w=200&h=150

By Michelle La Rosa

Pope rearranges Rio schedule to meet with Argentine youth

Pope Francis has modified his World Youth Day schedule to plan a meeting this Thursday with several thousand young people... Read more

Pope Francis' car is swarmed by pilgrims as he makes his way to Guanabara Palace on July 22, 2013. ANSA/FERMO IMMAGINE SKY.?w=200&h=150

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope's unpredictability challenges security planners

The rules for the Pope’s security during international trips have had to change since Pope Francis was elected, bringing into... Read more

(L-R) Aux. Bishop Stephen Robson, Msgr. Leo Cushley, Archbishop-elect of St. Andrews & Edinburgh, and Archbishop Philip Tartaglia. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh.?w=200&h=150

Vatican diplomat named new Edinburgh archbishop

Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Leo Cushley as the new Archbishop of St. Andrews & Edinburgh, replacing Cardinal Keith O’Brien... Read more

Imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini. ?w=200&h=150

By Adelaide Mena

After beatings, imprisoned pastor finally receives medical care

Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran for over 300 days, has at last received long-awaited medical... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida during the 28th World Youth Day. ?w=200&h=150

'God acts and he surprises us,' Pope teaches at Marian shrine

Openness to being surprised by God is an attitude which marks the life of a Christian, Pope Francis said in... Read more

Scene from The Logic of God performed during the 28th World Youth Day. ?w=200&h=150

Blessed Frassati a 'perfect' fit for World Youth Day play

After being contacted by World Youth Day officials to perform a play going along with this year’s theme, a theater... Read more

Priests, a Buddhist monk and police inspect a desecrated tabernacle. (?w=200&h=150

Sri Lankan cardinal forgives church desecrators

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo has forgiven the desecrators of a Catholic church in Sri Lanka, refusing to press criminal... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster gives the morning catechesis for WYD pilgrims July 24, 2013. ?w=200&h=150

By Michelle La Rosa

Love of Christ helps us find identity, bishop teaches

By experiencing the love of God and sharing it with those around us, we will find the answers to our... Read more

Newlyweds Angelo Mathew and Heshani Silva (?w=200&h=150

Cricket star's Catholic wedding spreads joy in Sri Lanka

The marriage of Catholic Sri Lankan cricket star Angelo Mathew and national badminton player Heshani Silva caused joy among the... Read more

Pilgrims attended the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day at Copacabana Beach July 23, 2013. ?w=200&h=150

By Michelle La Rosa

Pilgrims in Rio see fellowship as World Youth Day highlight

Wind and rain on Copacabana beach did not stop more than half a million young people from experiencing the global... Read more

Pres Barack Obama with HHS Sec Kathleen Sebelius announce the contraception mandate at the White House, Jan. 12, 2012. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.?w=200&h=150

Christian lawyers sue to overturn contraception mandate

Michael and Shaun Willis and their Michigan-based law firm filed a lawsuit seeking to have the HHS mandate declared a... Read more

Canadian pilgrims at a July 24 World Youth Day catechesis session?w=200&h=150

Canadians find greater unity at Rio’s World Youth Day

A group of Canadian pilgrims said this World Youth Day is more fun and the youth feel “more united” than... Read more

Pope Francis during his July 24 visit to St. Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. ?w=200&h=150

Pope embraces, voices love for drug addicts at Rio hospital

At a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said his namesake St. Francis of Assisi put his conversion into... Read more

Cuban Flag.?w=200&h=150

Despite repression, Cuban youth celebrate WYD in Brazil

A group of young pilgrims from Cuba have arrived in Brazil to celebrate the 28th World Youth Day despite initial... Read more