Fourteen Catholics from the Diocese of Corpus Christi are in attendance at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

Bishop Michael Mulvey is at St. Matthew's Cathedral awaiting the Holy Father. He says there is "lots of excitement and joy around. In the cathedral are bishops, parishioners of the cathedral and USCCB staff."

Pope Francis Wednesday reminded U.S. president Barack Obama that religious freedom is one of America's most “precious possessions,” while lauding the nation's Catholics their work toward a society marked by tolerance and inclusivity.

Catholic school students welcome Pope Francis to the United States on the airfield at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington Sept. 22.

Despite repeated questions from journalists on what Pope Francis will say to President Barack Obama, a joint meeting of Congress and the United Nations on any range of potential subjects, Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi advised everyone to wait and listen for themselves.

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (CNS) -- Pope Francis arrived in the United States the late afternoon of Sept. 22 to begin his first apostolic journey as pontiff. His plane, an Alitalia jetliner, touched down at Joint Base Andrews near Washington at 3:51 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, nine minutes ahead of schedule.

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM CUBA (CNS) -- Pope Francis defended his position on the economy, the environment and other social issues as faithful repetitions of the basic Catholic social doctrine.

Ben Nguyen, Canonical Counsel and Theological Advisor for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, will provide commentary on Pope Francis' visit to the Untitled States on the 5 p.m. newscast of K-III television.

In response to the growing need to serve young adults in Beeville and the surrounding area, the Diocese of Corpus Christi will break ground for a new Campus Ministry and Young Adult Building at Coastal Bend College in Beeville on Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. The new 4,000 square-foot building will be able to accommodate 180 people with a large community room, chapel, two meeting rooms and a kitchen.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Texas State held its seventh Habitat for Humanity Build, Ground Blessing and Raising of the Walls Ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2818 Soledad St. in Corpus Christi. National Regent Shirley Seyfried presented a check for $25,000 from Catholic Daughters of the Americas national headquarters to State Regent Eve Trevino for the Texas build.

On the eve of his arrival in the United States, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in a scene that would have been unimaginable a few years ago: a Catholic Mass in Holguin's Revolution Plaza, where May Day parades and other patriotic events exalting the Cuban Revolution take place.

As Cubans finally face the prospects of calmer relationships and greater ease of communication and commerce with the United States, Pope Francis told the Cuban people that love and service, not anyone's ideology, are the keys to their happiness.

At a time when other events were occurring in the city, about 550 supporters of The Ark Assessment Center and Emergency Shelter for Youth attended its annual fund raiser Sept. 17 at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds with Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman as its keynote speaker.

Some 80 first responders were recognized at the Diocese of Corpus Christi Blue Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Mulvey held at Sacred Heart Church in Mathis on Saturday, Sept. 12. More than 200 guests joined the responders for a dinner at the parish Hall served by the Knights of Columbus.

Sister Lou Ella Hickman, a member of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament, has a collection of poetry titled “she: robed and wordless” that was released Sept. 1.

People discover their worth when they discover their true identity as created in God’s image and called to an eternal destiny with him, said Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in the annual Respect Life Month statement. The theme of the 2015-16 Respect Life Program is “Every life is worth living.”

The 2015 High School Youth Spectacular was held on Sept. 13 at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi with Leah Darrow as the keynote speaker. Bishop Michael Mulvey celebrated Mass for the some 700 high school youth in attendance.

St. Mary's Mission in Robstown held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new new Catechetical Center and Parish Hall on Sunday, Sept. 13. Father Anthony Blount, SOLT, pastor, officiated at the ceremony.

Incarnate Word Academy's Angel Improv troupe held its first performance of the school year on Friday, Sept. 4 in the Angel Avenue Student Center. The Angel Improv troupe consists of about 20 students ranging from freshmen to seniors.

True to its heritage, Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi was handing out sandwiches to the homeless at the entrance to its celebration recognizing 50 years of ministry to the poor of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. The evening of celebration on Sept. 10 was held at the organization's outdoor rose garden, which was made possible by the hundreds of supporters who came out to celebrate the occasion.