Patriarch Bartholomew hospitalized (AP) The spiritual leader of the world’s 200 million Eastern Orthodox Christians was hospitalized Sunday in Washington on the first full day of a planned 12-day U.S. visit and will stay overnight, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said. The archdiocese said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was preparing to leave for a service at the Cathedral of Saint Sophia in the nation’s capital when he felt unwell “due to the long flight and full schedule of events upon arrival…”

100-year-old priest nudged from parish has no plans to retire (The New York Times) At the age of 100, nearly 70 years after he had established the humble Cristo Rey Parish to nurture a small but burgeoning Latino community in southeast Texas, Rev. Luis Urriza was now being forced to leave it behind. Not long after his birthday in August, the Catholic bishop of Beaumont told him that the time had come. Another, younger pastor was taking over at Cristo Rey.  He did not want to leave. His parishioners organized a march hoping to convince the bishop to change his mind. “Viva Cristo Rey!” they chanted. “Viva Padre Luis!” But the decision stood…

“It’s not easy to be the pope!” (CNA) Pope Francis paid a visit to the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians on Friday and asked the religious sisters to pray for him as they live out their mission of service to the young and the poor. “Thank you for who you are and what you do. I am close to you with prayer and I bless you and all your sisters in the world,” Pope Francis told the Salesian sisters on Oct. 22. “And I ask you to pray for me; it is not easy to be the pope!”…

Mundelein marks 100th anniversary (CNS) Hundreds of alumni, benefactors and guests gathered on a crisp October morning to celebrate the beginning of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary’s centennial year. The celebration Oct. 17 included Mass said by Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington, a seminary alumnus; Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago; trolley tours of the grounds; and talks about the history of the school…

San Bernardino Mass opening Synod sparks backlash (CNA) The Diocese of San Bernardino says its opening Mass for the Synod on Synodality Oct. 17 sought to celebrate the California diocese’s rich cultural diversity and welcome those on the “periphery” of the Church. But the liturgy’s unusual pageantry, featuring liturgical dancers, a Native American prayer to the “four directions,” and the appearance at the end of Mass of a colorfully costumed figure that resembled traditional representations of an Aztec demon, has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism on social media…