by John Freund, CM | Mar 18, 2013 | Pope
If the plans for his inaugural Mass — expected to attract 1 million people to St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday — are any indication, it seems Pope Francis is setting three key themes for the event: simplicity, ecumenism and mercy, Joshua J. McElwee...
by John Freund, CM | Mar 18, 2013 | Pope
Catholic News Service offers a  timeline of Pope Francis’ life Dec. 17, 1936: Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Italian immigrant parents. — 1957: At age 21, falls gravely ill; eventually severe pneumonia is diagnosed, right lung partially removed....
by John Freund, CM | Mar 18, 2013 | Pope
The London Guardian reports…His parishioners from the barrio of Buenos Aires where he was born and cut his political teeth say Pope Francis is likely to usher in the most radical change in the Catholic church in more than 50 years from the barrio of Buenos Aires...
by John Freund, CM | Mar 18, 2013 | Daughters of Charity, Pope
It has been a momentous week following the elections and installation of Pope Francis. The following posts were among the most visited on famvin.org Pope Francis and St. Vincent Cardinal Bergoglio’s Lenten Letter, 2013 Pope’s prayer for Cardinal electors A Vincentian...
by John Freund, CM | Mar 17, 2013 | Pope, Vincentian Family
Catholic blogger Lisa M. HendeyF offer 5 Easy Ways to Love the Poor in Honor of His Pontificate She writes… “As someone who’d strongly considered cashing in her frequent flyer miles to be at the Vatican for his installation, his words have challenged me...
by John Freund, CM | Mar 16, 2013 | Pope
Drawing from the words, ideas, and the personal recollection of Pope Francis – including inside material made available right up to the final hours before his election – the most highly regarded Vatican observer, Andrea Tornielli, reveals who the new Pope will be for...