Persons with disabilities

The Latest

A woman waits in her wheelchair outside of Manila's Cathedral overnight to see Pope Francis on Jan. 16, 2015.

'Be the hug of Christ' – White Mass in DC encourages those with disabilities

Nov 10, 2015

Honoring individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., celebrated the archdiocese's annual White Mass... Read more

Pope Francis embraces a boy prior to his first 'Urbi et Orbi' blessing on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013.

These students with special needs have a request of Pope Francis

Aug 26, 2015

By Matt Hadro

A group representing Catholic students with intellectual disabilities is hoping a U.S. visit from Pope Francis could spark nothing less... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with children through Google Hangouts, Feb. 5, 2015.

Tech-savvy Pope shares laughter, advice with special needs kids

Feb 5, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis virtually joined seven young people with disabilities and special needs in his second Google Hangout as pontiff, sharing... Read more

Romello Dias and family at the papal Mass in Colombo Jan 14.

At papal Mass in Sri Lanka, disabled man seeks 'big blessing'

Jan 13, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Among the attendees at the papal Mass in Sri Lanka on Wednesday was Romello Dias, a 20-year-old man who has... Read more

A member of Team Zaryen plays soccer.

Haitian welder turned amputee soccer star: 'It's the best life'

Jan 10, 2015

By Elise Harris

After losing a leg during Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake, Wilfrid Macena became a prosthetic technician and founded an amputee soccer... Read more

Reading braille.

Free braille Bibles help the blind poor around the world

Jan 8, 2015

Close your eyes. Now try to go about your regular life without your vision. What challenges would you face at... Read more

Pope Francis in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Oct. 4, 2014.

St. Lucy an example of courage for all who face disabilities, Pope says

Dec 13, 2014

By Elise Harris

In an audience with people who are blind and visually impaired Pope Francis said that St. Lucy’s courage in facing... Read more

House overcomes partisan bickering to pass disabilities bill

Dec 6, 2014

By Matt Hadro

After eight years in legislative limbo, a bill helping those with disabilities to save in tax-exempt accounts and still receive... Read more

Pope gets warm welcome from children with disabilities

Aug 16, 2014

Pope Francis visited the House of Hope rehabilitation center for children with disabilities in South Korea on Aug. 15 where... Read more

'Hope for Gammy' fundraising page.

Disbelief, horror follow desertion of baby with Down syndrome

Aug 7, 2014

Advocates for those with Down syndrome are appalled and grieved by the reported abandonment of a baby who had been... Read more

 Supreme Knight Carl Anderson makes an announcement at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum July 14, 2014. Photo courtesy of the Knights of Columbus.

Knights of Columbus pledge $1.4 million for Special Olympics

Jul 15, 2014

The Knights of Columbus have pledged $1.4 million for next year’s Special Olympics World Games, helping to cover participating athletes’... Read more

Screemshot: Pope Francis gets out of his car in Italy.

Pope Francis stops car to bless young disabled woman

Jun 23, 2014

During his June 21 pastoral visit to the region of Calabria in southern Italy, Pope Francis stopped the car that... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6, 2014.

Pope to say Mass of Lord’s Supper at rehab center for disabled persons

Apr 8, 2014

It was announced April 7 that Pope Francis will say the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday at... Read more

Pope Francis greets attendees at an audience for the deaf and blind March 29.

Witness to Christ, Pope urges blind and deaf

Mar 29, 2014

Pope Francis held an audience with the blind and deaf on Saturday, encouraging them to become witnesses of Christ and... Read more

Students from Catholic University of America and their Best Buddies from Bethlehem House visit with Cardinal Wuerl after the White Mass.

All human life is 'very good' in God's eyes, cardinal says

Oct 21, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

God “sees a reflection of himself” in all persons, Washington Archbishop Cardinal Donald Wuerl preached to members of the disabled... Read more

CNA

Argentina Down Syndrome test could cause abortion increase

Aug 9, 2013

The pro-life group ArgentinosAlerta has warned that a new test to detect Down Syndrome in unborn children after nine weeks... Read more

CNA

Hospitalized man fulfills dream of creating 3D animations

Aug 6, 2013

Despite being hospitalized for virtually his entire life as a result of childhood polio, Paulo Henrique Machado is achieving his... Read more

Members of the International Order of Alhambra.

Catholic fraternity offers support to intellectually disabled

Jul 12, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

The International Order of Alhambra, a Catholic fraternal order, has served the intellectually disabled youth and young adults of the... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience, May 22, 2013.

Pope calls for 'culture of encounter' towards disabled

Jun 11, 2013

Highlighting the spiritual gift of faith seen in Jesus’ healing of the blind, Pope Francis encouraged an ‘active participation’ of... Read more

CNA

Costa Rica campaign highlights dignity of babies with birth defects

May 7, 2013

A pro-life association in Costa Rica has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the plight of babies with anencephaly,... Read more