Independence Hall in PhiladelphiaStanding before the birthplace of America, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pope Francis delivered a powerful address about the fundamental right of religious freedom while calling upon the immigrant population to “be responsible citizens.”
Our Lady Queen of Angels school in East Harlem, NYCommentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Pope Francis made the most of his short visit to New York City, bringing the love of Christ into focus for those who struggle to find Him through the everyday hardships and complexities of life.
Dr. Hahn speaking at Miracullous Medal Shrine on evening of 9/24/15Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
The other evening I had the great privilege of accompanying Dr. Scott Hahn from the World Meeting of Families to the nearby Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Germantown. During the drive there, he shared his thoughts and impressions of the World Meeting of Families.
While some criticized Pope Francis for not being more outspoken about abortion during his stay in Washington, DC this week, his speech to the UN was not nearly as nuanced and was laced with stern admonishments about everything from gender theory, abortion, and even the marketing of human tissue in a veiled reference to Planned Parenthood.
It was a tremendous blessing for me to have the opportunity to meet Dr. Gianna Emmanuela Molla, the daughter of St Gianna Beretta Molla at this week's World Meeting of Families. She was there representing the St. Gianna Physician’s Guild, whose mission is to unite and encourage Catholic physicians, and those in the health care profession, to promote and defend Catholic principles in a public way by word and example, and to inspire sanctification in their lives. Her inner beauty and humility radiates through her as she carries on the legacy of her mother, who was herself a Catholic physician.
The characteristic compassion of Pope Francis shone with a particular brilliance this morning when he stood on Ground Zero in New York City and spoke about the pain and tears of this place where thousands lost their lives in a senseless act of destruction, but also the power of love and remembrance.
While some were disappointed that Pope Francis did not mention abortion by name in his address to Congress, Pope Francis told the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, he said that standing up for human life was the primary reason for his visit to this country.
Pope Francis chose not to chide lawmakers during his historic address to Congress yesterday but instead spoke of the greatness of the “land of the free and home of the brave” while touching on a variety of hot topics with his trademark compassion that brought both sides of the aisle to their feet.
On the second leg of his U.S. visit, Pope Francis landed in New York City yesterday afternoon where he was greeted by thousands of enraptured fans.
