click to enlarge SARAH FENSKE So, this happened. Twenty years ago this Saturday, my husband gave Pope John Paul II a hockey stick. As any longtime St. Louisan could tell you, this isn't quite as random as it sounds; it's twenty years ago Saturday that the man born Karol Wojtyla came, improbably, to St. Louis. He was here just 31 hours, but the pope packed that day and a half full. He met President Bill Clinton at the airport, blessed patients from Cardinal Glennon, convinced Governor Mel Carnahan to spare a death-row inmate, presided over the largest mass ever held in the United States at Trans World Dome (now the Dome at America's Center) and met Stan Musial and Rosa Parks. Oh, and he held a youth rally at Kiel Center (now Enterprise Center), speaking to 21,000 Catholic kids from all over the metro area. That's when a quiet kid from DeSmet Jesuit High School got to give him a gift. My husband doesn't play hockey; in fact, he's never played hockey. The gift was less about … [Read more...] about Pope John Paul II Came to St. Louis 20 Years Ago Saturday and Gave Us a Gift
Pope visit philadelphia
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s ‘pope’ visits to dedicate a mosque in North Philadelphia
Philadelphia's small community worshiped in a 4,000-square-foot mosque on Ninth Street before moving into its new $7 million building, funded by members' donations and support from the national headquarters. Inside is a pristine house of prayer with cool gray/blue walls, a library, offices, and a multipurpose room where the local community will host on Friday a dinner in honor of Ahmad. During his visit, he will meet with individual families, lead prayers, and meet local dignitaries at the Friday event. … [Read more...] about The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s ‘pope’ visits to dedicate a mosque in North Philadelphia
Kim Jong-Un Wants Pope To Visit North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang with the hopes of highlighting peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula. What do you think? “This seems like the natural next PR move for the Pope right now.” Ari Rowland • Patchouli Scatterer “If Kim Jong-un is trying to prove himself on the world’s stage, he’s much better off distancing himself from the Catholic Church.” Frazer Drummond • Dream Reader “He visited Philadelphia—why not?” Tia Sanchez • Hammer Decorator … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-Un Wants Pope To Visit North Korea
Attorney General Shapiro writes letter to pope: Urge priests to stop silencing victims
As he endeavors to expose predatory priests, Pennsylvania's top law enforcement official has appealed for help from the highest Catholic church authority: the pope. Attorney General Josh Shapiro on Wednesday sent Pope Francis a letter expressing his concerns that church officials are stalling the release of an 18-month-long grand jury investigation report into clergy sex abuse in six of the state's eight dioceses. Shapiro had intended to release the findings to the public in late June, but a last minute stay order from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has halted the release for now. The court is considering the petitions of some two dozen individuals named - but not charged in the report. Attorney General Josh Shapiro has appealed to Pope Francis in the ongoing effort to release a grand jury report into clergy sex abuse. The pope is shown here arriving for a Mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Alessandra … [Read more...] about Attorney General Shapiro writes letter to pope: Urge priests to stop silencing victims
Philadelphia Live Nation chief Geoff Gordon on the Made In America uproar
The uproar about the Made In America festival potentially leaving the Benjamin Franklin Parkway next year has so focused on the back and forth between rapper Jay-Z and Philadelphia Mayor Kenney. Desiree Perez, a top executive with Jay Z’s Roc Nation, has said she was “shocked” to learn the city planned to boot the festival off the Parkway in 2019. In a commentary published by the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com, Jay-Z said the mayor has shown “zero appreciation for what Made In America has built.” Kenney has since called the brouhaha “an unfortunate misunderstanding” and said the city is “committed to continuing our partnership with the Made In America festival.” What remains unclear is whether Kenney will back off from his demand that it move to a new venue in Philadelphia. And if the mayor doesn’t, will Jay-Z pull the event from the city?, READ MORE >> Made In America is moving off the Ben … [Read more...] about Philadelphia Live Nation chief Geoff Gordon on the Made In America uproar