Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Asian Catholic Community, I extend warm greetings and prayerful best wishes as you mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This joyous occasion marks the Year of the Horse, symbolizing intense forward momentum toward transformation. This particular Lunar New Year comes at a time of renewal in the […]

Dear Friends of the Muslim Faith Tradition, Together with the people of the Catholic Church in Philadelphia, I send warm greetings of friendship as you prepare to mark the observance of Ramadan. Last year, Pope Leo XIV commended the “growing commitment to dialogue and fraternity” among the Catholic and Muslim communities. Our embrace is “fostered […]

The impending winter snowstorm for this Sunday, January 25, 2026, and the corresponding state of emergency declared by the City of Philadelphia, reminds everyone to make prudential and safe decisions regarding travel. While the obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sunday remains, if the weather impedes people from attending Mass safely, especially the elderly, then […]

“I was filled with great joy yesterday to learn that Pope Leo XIV appointed Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks as the successor to Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the next Archbishop of New York. The Church throughout the world owes a debt of gratitude to Cardinal Dolan for his tireless dedication along with his pastoral leadership […]

Dear Friends in the Jewish Community, Together with the Catholic people of the Philadelphia region, I extend prayerful best wishes as you prepare to celebrate the beautiful Festival of Lights next week. The Hanukkah menorah reminds us of the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, and the Lord’s covenant of faithfulness with His people. Ours […]

I gratefully welcomed the recent release of Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”). His letter calls for a much-needed and renewed Christian commitment and closeness to the poor through charitable action and efforts to address systemic issues that create endless cycles of poverty throughout the world. This letter is […]

I was filled with great joy to learn that Pope Leo XIV appointed Most Reverend James F. Checchio as the Coadjutor Archbishop of New Orleans. Bishop Checchio has distinguished himself as a priest of the Diocese of Camden and through his service as shepherd of the Diocese of Metuchen. He has devoted himself to great […]

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was a priest of Philadelphia who served our local Church faithfully in pastoral ministry and administrative roles for 36 years until appointed by Pope Benedict XVI […]

Dear Friends in the Jewish Faith Community, I write to extend warm greetings and prayerful best wishes as you prepare to celebrate the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. At this time, I am mindful of the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land. As you mark the tragic anniversary of the attacks […]

Members of the Augustinian General Chapter in Rome elected Reverend Joseph L. Farrell, O.S.A., as the next Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine. The election took place in Rome on September 9, 2025. Pope Leo XIV served in this leadership role from 2001 to 2013. Father Farrell is a native of Drexel Hill, […]