Vatican denies report Pope Francis has brain tumor

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 6:33 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From Reuters: The Vatican denied on Wednesday an Italian media report that Pope Francis has a benign brain tumor. “The circulation of entirely unfounded news regarding the health of the Holy Father by an Italian newspaper is gravely irresponsible and unworthy of attention,” chief Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said in a statement. “Furthermore, as is clearly evident, the pope is carrying out his very intense activity in a totally normal way,” he said. Francis later held his weekly general... Read more

Cutting a rug: thousands receive souvenir carpet squares used at pope’s Mass in Philadelphia

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 6:24 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Now for something completely different: Nearly one month after Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to Philadelphia, more than 5,000 of the 6-inch by 6-inch squares of white, gold and gray carpet used during the papal Mass on Benjamin Franklin Parkway have been given out as souvenirs. Crews from Hunterdon County’s Flemington Department Store were onsite at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and stages for the World Meeting of Families installing grey linoleum and 10,000-square-feet of carpet. Requests have come in from California, Texas, Oklahoma, Australia, England, Germany,... Read more

Church sign of the month

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 1:16 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From some clever Catholics in southern Maryland: Read more

Meet the Imam who sat next to the pope

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 1:13 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Last night, I attended the bi-annual joint Clergy Convocation for the Diocese of Brooklyn— bringing together priests, bishops and deacons for Evening Prayer, fellowship and (of course) a great meal. This year’s after-dinner talk included a panel discussion on the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate. One of the presenters was a young Imam, Khalid Latif, whose eloquence, passion and intelligence impressed everyone. He serves as the Muslim chaplain for the New York Police Department. But he may be most famous... Read more

Vatican denies report Pope Francis has brain tumor

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 1:12 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Cutting a rug: thousands receive souvenir carpet squares used at pope’s Mass in Philadelphia

Last updated on: October 21, 2015 at 1:09 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

Pope’s favorability numbers rise after visit to U.S.

Last updated on: October 20, 2015 at 10:21 pm By Deacon Greg Kandra

From CNS: A Marist Poll survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus found Pope Francis’ favorability made significant gains among Catholics and among Americans overall in the wake of his Sept. 22-27 visit to the United States. Among practicing Catholics, 90 percent now say they view Pope Francis favorably, up from 83 percent in August, one month before his visit. Among all Americans, the pope’s numbers jumped from 58 percent to 74 percent. Asked if they are clear about Pope... Read more

From the Synod: Cardinal Napier optimistic about Synod’s outcome

Last updated on: October 20, 2015 at 11:37 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From NCR: One of the 13 cardinals said to have signed a letter to Pope Francis sharply criticizing the ongoing Synod of Bishops has said he no longer has concerns about the gathering and is even optimistic about its outcome. South African Cardinal Wilfrid Napier told reporters at a briefing Tuesday that Francis’ response to the letter — addressing the entire bishops’ gathering on its second day of work Oct. 6 — “made a huge difference … in the scale... Read more

10 Things You Should Never Say to a Nun…

Last updated on: October 20, 2015 at 6:52 am By Deacon Greg Kandra

From a nun, of course, Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble: To preface this list, I have to say that most people I meet are very kind and excited to speak to a religious sister. Atheists. Muslims. Bikers. Former Catholics. Punks. People from all kinds of backgrounds and views love nuns. It makes sense. Kids know that they can come home and tell their mother the most disappointing, shocking and scandalous thing and their mom will still love them. I think this... Read more

Pope’s favorability numbers rise after visit to U.S.

Last updated on: October 20, 2015 at 1:08 am By Deacon Greg Kandra