Pope Francis: “On Women Priests, That Cannot Be Done”

His words emphasizing the significance of “this place” where he stood, speaking in the language of numerous immigrants whose journey he acknowledged, Pope Francis’ speech on immigration rights and religious freedom was a message of brotherly love in the city of that name. The Mass marked the beginning of a much-anticipated week for U.S. Catholics. In an effort to highlight these two tenets of education, Francis also visited a Catholic grade school in Harlem that serves immigrants.

Pope Francis drew lots of cheers in the United States, but now he’s coming under fire from a Berks County lawmaker and victims of sexual abuse. It seemed that connections to St. Thomas and Minnesota were present everywhere.

Call him the pope of the digital age – getting to see Pope Francis in person was a once in a lifetime event and people wanted the selfies to prove it. Never one to disappoint his followers, Pope Francis made time to pose for dozens of selfies throughout his trip and the results were enviable. In a particular way I thank Archbishop Chaput and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the civil authorities, the organizers, and all the many volunteers and benefactors who assisted in ways large and small.

“My days with you have been brief, but they have been days of great grace for me”.

Pope Francis talks to journalists while traveling en route to Italy…

Sunday’s mass capped off the Pope Francis’ six-day sweep through the United States. “And that in God’s merciful plan, love and peace triumph over all“.

During the homily, delivered in Spanish, Francis compared families and homes to church and encouraged acceptance, “Our common house can no longer tolerate sterile divisions”.

The pope’s trip to Philadelphia for the Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families spurred intense traffic and security restrictions.

On Sunday, the Vatican said Pope Francis met with five abuse victims in private in Philadelphia.

“So this pope has spoken strongly about a tribunal to hold bishops accountable; we’ve responded to what the pope has brought forward”, Connell said.

He urged those listening to act as an example for youth, “May our children find in us models of communion, not division”, and asked the crowd, “What kind of world do we want to leave our children?”

The remarks capped an outspoken press conference aboard the papal plane, during which the famously modest pontiff also downplayed the notion of being a “star” after electrifying adoring crowds in the United States and Cuba with his message of humility and reconciliation.

“I wanted to see the leader of my faith, and it felt like it would be an opportunity to get to know God“, Bryant W. Huggins ’19 said.

“Saturday was a really emotional day for all of us, the flawless culmination of him expressing that joy back, talking about how important families are and that sense of community”, he said.

“I pledge the zealous vigilance of the church to protect children and the promise of accountability for all”.