This week in Christian history: Pope Francis leads mass in NYC; London Missionary Society forms
Pope Francis holds mass at New York City before 20,000 – Sept. 25, 2015
This week marks the anniversary of when Pope Francis held mass at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, before approximately 20,000 Catholic faithful.
The worship service was part of a multiday trip to the United States by Pope Francis, who earlier that week had addressed a joint session of Congress, the first pontiff to ever do so.
Pope Francis oversaw the observance of the mass along with five cardinals and 33 bishops, with him giving a homily that spoke about being a Christian in a major city like New York.
"Knowing that Jesus still walks our streets, that He is part of the lives of His people, that He is involved with us in one vast history of salvation, fills us with hope. A hope which liberates us from the forces pushing us to isolation and lack of concern for the lives of others, for the life of our city," the pontiff preached.
"A hope which frees us from empty 'connections,' from abstract analyses, or sensationalist routines. A hope which is unafraid of involvement, which acts as a leaven wherever we happen to live and work. A hope which makes us see, even in the midst of smog, the presence of God as He continues to walk the streets of our city."
