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Pope Francis touched the lives of millions of people around the world during his trip to Cuba and his historic trip to the United States Sept. 19-27. His agenda was full, beginning in Washington D.C. at the White House and ending in Philadelphia at the eighth World Meeting of Families.

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Pope Francis urged the hundreds of thousands of people gathered for the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families to serve and care for each other as freely as God loves the human family.

The pope called upon the faithful to embrace signs that the Holy Spirit can work through everyone. He referred to the readings in the multilingual Mass – from the Book of Numbers and the Gospel of Mark – in which members of the faith community questioned the work of those not part of their group and for prophesying in the name of Go

Students at Saint John the Baptist elementary and middle schools and Juan Diego Catholic High School frequently attend Mass at the Skaggs Catholic Center, but the Sept. 24 celebration was unique, and one that will be remembered as historic.

The outdoor Mass, which was celebrated the same day as Pope Francis’ unprecedented address to a joint session of the United States Congress, honored the Holy Father’s first visit to the U.S. 

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) — Two well-known Christian preachers agreed: Joy in family life is among the most powerful tools to take Jesus to others. 

The last keynote of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia took a tag-team approach, when Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston and evangelical pastor Rick Warren took to the stage Sept. 25 and urged families to answer their missionary call. 

The two churchmen shared the one-hour slot to give their respective reflections on the theme, “The Joy of the Gospel of Life,” peppering their talks with humor and personal experience in their own particular style. 

NEW YORK (CNS) — Seeing New York for the first time in his 78 years of life, Pope Francis said he knew Madison Square Garden was an important gathering place for sporting events and concerts. For him, it was transformed into a chapel in the heart of the Big Apple.

True peace in a big city comes from seeing the vast variety of people not as a bother, but as a brother or sister, Pope Francis said in his homily during the Mass Sept. 25 at “The Garden,” where 20,000 people gathered to pray with him.