What a great time for our Rome Pilgrimage. While many of our pilgrims are in St. Peter's for Papa Francisco's first Angeles prayer, I take a moment to bring you up to date.In "Pope news" here are three articles, including one by Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ, setting the record straight on then Fr. Bergoglio's efforts during Argentin's "dirty war."  If you only have time to read one, read Fr. Reese's article.

Fr. Thomas Reese: Francis, the Jesuits and the Dirty War 

Conservative with a common touch. 

Here are two short videos of Pope Francis in motion. Worth the watch!

Pope Francis in motion

Pope greets Cardinals

Last but far from least, here is a petition from the International Movement We Are Church you may want to sign on to.  

In pilgrimage news, yesterday we visited San Clemente, a basilica that includes a first century gathering place for early Christians, a 12th century church and the present upper level church with a beautiful 18th century ceiling. Our prayer focused on two early women martyrs from Carthage, Perpetua and Felicity, since we toured the Colosseum and imperial forum in the afternoon.  

Dr. Osiek is an excellent teacher. Today (Sunday) we visited the catacomb of Domitilla, site of the beautiful Veneranda and Petronilla fresco detailing two "women of the Word" from two different historical periods. Then to Santa Sabine, another 3^rd century titular church where our prayer will honor all the anonymous women leaders in church history.

Tomorrow, its the Vatican Museums, Pio Christiano museum where we will view 3rd to 5th century sarcophagi friezes featuring women leaders proclaiming the Gospel via funerary art. 

Please do keep us, our Church and Papa Francisco in your prayer.