Special Reports

The Rev. Stephen Thorne began Mass at Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church Sunday, by asking the congregation to move up to the first few pews. Hesitantly, people rose and moved closer to the front. “Thank

Bars and restaurants across Philadelphia prepared for a sea of additional customers this weekend as Pope Francis’ arrival brought thousands of pilgrims to the city— but one South Philly bar was born ready for the

Though the streets of Fishtown were no more crowded than usual during the papal visit, one community leader still saw the event as a great way to build the neighborhood’s unity. Reverend Shawn Hyska, pastor

Hugh Taft-Morales didn’t expect this. “I knew it was going to be big,” he said. “It’s well beyond what I thought it was going to be. Clearly, Philadelphia’s got a lot of Catholic tradition and

Pope Francis ended his inaugural visit to the United States of America, celebrating multiple masses and public events as part of the World Meeting of Families.  One of the primary issues the Pontiff focused on during

The Cunningham Piano Company donated a digital organ for the Papal services that concluded yesterday with Pope Francis leading a mass on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  “I’m a musician, and, of course, I’m a business

George Todt looked at Archbishop Ryan High School’s rear grounds as he reflected on Pope John Paul II’s Oct. 3, 1979 visit to Philadelphia. John Paul II had come to a city where 1 million

Archdiocese Catholic school students found a new document slipped into their application and entrance packets: The Memorandum of Understanding. The decree, released earlier this month from the office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia requires all