Monday, March 11 2013 11:38 AM EDT2013-03-11 15:38:14 GMT
The congregation of cardinals is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss preliminary work and church agendas as they draw closer to scheduling a date for selecting a new pope, FOX News reports.
The congregation of cardinals is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss preliminary work and church agendas as they draw closer to scheduling a date for selecting a new pope, FOX News reports.
For the first time since the death of Pope John Paul II, there was no Sunday papal blessing at the Vatican.
The pope's balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square was sealed off as Catholics worldwide await the College of Cardinals to convene in Rome.
Meanwhile, local Catholics streamed into the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City to pray.
Archbishop Charles Chaput explained the process for papal transition to FOX 29.
"We join together in our local church here in Philadelphia to pray for our universal pastor," Chaput said in a mass to pray for the new Pope.
"Coming to mass tonight (Sunday) is a sort of putting myself into the passion of the Christ," said Bill Hockwind of Chester County.
A customary prayer for Pope Benedict has been omitted from all Catholic masses until a new pope is elected. Some faithful are hoping for the beginning of a new direction for the church.
"I want a man who will stand up for his principles and the Catholic Church and not afraid to represent," said Toni Gratkowski of King of Prussia. She was among the hundreds who attended Sunday night mass.
Some are hoping the new pope will bring new life to the church after many years of scandal and dwindling enrollment.
"We must bring back those people who have been turned off from the sex situation which was very bad," said Lorraine Kelly of Chicago.
Some are hoping for a new pope with progressive views to win back Catholics who have left the church.
"I want someone that's going to bring a new direction. Obviously, youth would be nice. A fresh perspective," said Kurt Brooks of Center City.
Currently, 115 cardinals are due to take part in the papal conclave, which many believe will start around March 10.
The Vatican seems to be aiming for an election by mid-March, so the new pope can be installed in office before March 24 and lead Holy Week services culminating in Easter the following Sunday.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:03:57 GMT
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
Tuesday, April 16 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-04-17 01:28:48 GMT
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:59:26 GMT
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
A man was critically injured Tuesday in New Castle by an explosion that happened while he opened an antique army ammunition box he picked up from his neighbors trash.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:37 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:37:43 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers race to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers race to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:01:25 GMT
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Police sources say the two incidents now under investigation took place at Houston Hall, a student center and lecture hall, on Spruce Street in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:02 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:02:17 GMT
The death penalty could be the eventual reality for the drug kingpin convicted of killing 12 people. Kaboni Savage's sentencing hearings began Tuesday. While prosecutors claim that a prison isn't going
Sentencing hearings began Tuesday for drug kingpin Kaboni Savage.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:43:01 GMT
The Lehigh County District Attorney's office has charged a couple with conspiring to embezzle $854,497 from the utility account of the South Whitehall Finance Department between 1999 and 2012.Nancy Tonkin,
The Lehigh County District Attorney's office has charged a couple with conspiring to embezzle $854,497 from the utility account of the South Whitehall Finance Department between 1999 and 2012.Nancy Tonkin,
The pope's window at the Apostolic Palace, where he normally reads from on Sundays, was sealed off.
Catholics in Philadelphia attended a special mass the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City Sunday.
