Articles by Alan Holdren
Exclusive: Details of the proposal for Pope Francis' US visit revealed
Jan 18, 2015 / 12:56 pmArchbishop Bernardito Auza – a member of the organizing committee for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the U.S. – has revealed details of the proposed schedule, which includes visits to three cities.
Catholic and non-Catholic alike; young people swarm for Pope
Jan 18, 2015 / 04:02 amHarold Ducusin, like many of his peers, traveled several hours to join tens of thousands of other young Filipinos to see Pope Francis at the sports field of Santo Tomas University Jan. 18.
A simple, intense encounter: Pope Francis and Manila's street kids
Jan 17, 2015 / 03:04 amDeviating from his schedule of events in the Philippines, Pope Francis had a brief but emotionally intense encounter with former street kids in Manila yesterday.
Rain during papal Mass a small sacrifice compared to Typhoon Haiyan
Jan 16, 2015 / 22:45 pmHundreds of thousands of people put up with the rain and the wind to attend an outdoor Mass with Pope Francis on Jan. 17 on the Philippine island of Leyte--“ground zero” of the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan disaster.
Gift from heaven? Pope receives unexpected visit from St. Therese of Lisieux
Jan 15, 2015 / 12:05 pmDuring his flight to the Philippines, Pope Francis thanked a French journalist who gave him an image of St. Therese, saying that instead of giving the usual rose when he asked for help, St. Therese came to him herself.
Full transcript of Pope's interview in-flight to Manila
Jan 15, 2015 / 11:58 amSpeaking to journalists aboard the Jan. 15 flight from Sri Lanka to the Philippines, Pope Francis discussed his trip, his recent canonizations, the upcoming encyclical on ecology, and reasonable limits to freedom of expression.
Pope on Charlie Hebdo: Don't kill in God's name but don't insult faith
Jan 15, 2015 / 05:37 amDuring an in-flight press conference Pope Francis spoke on the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack, saying that freedom of expression has limits but no one has the right to kill in the name of God.
Pope Francis to canonize evangelizer of the Wild West
Jan 15, 2015 / 05:24 amIn a surprise addition to his fall 2015 trip to the U.S., Pope Francis is planning to canonize the founder of California's first missions, Bl. Junipero Serra.
Overwhelming welcome for Pope Francis foreseen in Philippines
Jan 14, 2015 / 22:29 pmPope Francis can expect a warm and enthusiastic welcome in the Philippines, say two natives of the country who work in media.
Pope's visit prompts release of more than 600 Sri Lankan prisoners
Jan 14, 2015 / 17:02 pmPrompted by Pope Francis' visit and in keeping with the ongoing theme of reconciliation, more than 600 men and women were released from prisons throughout the island nation of Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
At papal Mass in Sri Lanka, disabled man seeks 'big blessing'
Jan 13, 2015 / 23:16 pmAmong the attendees at the papal Mass in Sri Lanka on Wednesday was Romello Dias, a 20-year-old man who has been suffering major health problems for five years.
Top Vatican Official: Washington, NYC likely stops on papal trip
Jan 6, 2015 / 05:38 amAlthough it’s still not official, the Vatican’s Secretary of State confirmed today that Pope Francis will most likely visit Washington D.C. and New York during his visit to the United States.
Is dialogue with terrorists a lost cause? Pope Francis says no
Nov 25, 2014 / 10:02 amSpeaking to journalists in-flight on his way back from Strasbourg, Pope Francis touched on dialogue with extremist terrorists – saying that although it's difficult, the door is never completely closed.
Pope's visit to Philly will be 'icing on the cake' for family meeting
Nov 17, 2014 / 16:43 pmAfter Pope Francis officially confirmed that he will visit Philadelphia next fall for the World Meeting of Families, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said the trip will be a blessing for the event and the world.
How a reproductive health pioneer became an 'instant convert' reading Humanae Vitae
Oct 23, 2014 / 10:05 amAs founders of an institute studying reproductive healthcare, Thomas and Susan Hilgers have seen the benefits that natural family planning can offer in the realms of health, sexuality and human relationships.
To Archbishop Kurtz, synod a confidence boost for married couples
Oct 12, 2014 / 15:02 pmThe Synod on the Family is an opportunity to assure married couples they can succeed at marriage despite the many challenges facing them, according to Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville.
As violence ravages homeland, Nigerian bishop hopes in synod
Oct 8, 2014 / 15:46 pmArchbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, has high hopes for the outcome of the current bishops’ synod, noting the contributions of the African Church despite extreme violence and other local struggles.
Blessed Opus Dei bishop 'knew how to serve'
Sep 26, 2014 / 17:02 pmAhead of the Sept. 27 beatification of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, the current head of Opus Dei recalled his predecessor as a man who was “totally available” to others and saw the importance of the laity to the Church.
Beatification of Opus Dei head sparks call for global generosity
Sep 26, 2014 / 12:13 pmTo mark the impending beatification of Alvaro del Portillo, who led Opus Dei from 1975 to 1994, those attending the celebration are being invited to contribute to initiatives aimed at bringing aid and support to the people of Africa.
Meeting of Families document offers global perspective
Sep 16, 2014 / 03:31 amThe preparatory catechesis document for the 2015 World Meeting of Families is a “wonderful” work that addresses Catholic family issues from a global context, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia said.