Latest news with #CathedraloftheHolyCross
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Why is he now Pope?': Boston attorney concerned over new pope's leadership amid clergy allegations
After Pope Leo XIV's first day as the pontiff, a local attorney says he and his clients aren't thrilled about the decision from the Vatican. Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston-based attorney, has represented thousands of victims and survivors over decades of alleged clergy sexual abuse. He told Boston 25 News on Friday he was disappointed to see Pope Leo XIV was appointed. 'There's a track record here that doesn't give many survivors or victims hope,' said Garabedian. 'He doesn't send a message he's going to protect children or help survivors heal.' He pointed towards two incidents over the last 25 years. Garabedian said in 2000, as head of the Augustinian Order in Chicago, Prevost allegedly housed a priest near a school facing accusations of sexual abuse. Garabedian explained, 'That priest was a pedophile, and those children were susceptible.' He also pointed to an incident while Pope Leo XIV was serving in Peru. The attorney criticized his handling of alleged sexual abuse against three young women. Garabedian continued, 'Those women have stated ... Pope Leo did a shallow job in the investigation.' The majority of New Englanders who spoke to Boston 25 News were happy about the appointment of Pope Leo XIV. Richard Heath said outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End, 'I was really excited about that!' Alexa MacPherson, a client of Garabedian's, said she was the victim of sexual abuse at a parish in Dorchester in the 1980's. She is still demanding action from the Vatican with new leadership. MacPherson asked, 'You're doing God's work? Well, you're not when you're hiding predatory priests.' The archdiocese of Boston said in a statement Friday: 'The Archdiocese of Boston has a robust, effective trauma - informed program in place to address the long-term impact of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. We have long been proactive with a vigorous child protection program that requires background screening, adult education, and youth education. We take our responsibilities seriously including reporting any allegations to law enforcement. We are committed to the protection of the young people entrusted to our care and to the prevention of any harm to them by anyone. Our new Holy Father has shown his compassion and commitment to the people entrusted to his care over and over again throughout his priestly ministry. We have full faith and confidence in our new Holy Father.' A celebration mass for Pope Leo XIV is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former US Vatican ambassador and Boston Mayor Ray Flynn surprised by choice of new pope
At his home in South Boston Thursday, former Boston Mayor and US Vatican Ambassador Ray Flynn watched the historic moment an American, for the first time ever, is chosen to lead the Catholic church In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Ray Flynn, then the Mayor of Boston, to be the US Ambassador to the Vatican. He considered Pope John Paul the Second a friend. Today, Flynn could not be happier with the selection of Pope Leo the 14th. 'It really is extraordinarily exciting,' Flynn said. 'This is an extraordinary choice, and I'm glad that I'm alive to see the first American pope.' At the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, in Boston's South End, as fresh yellow bunting signified the selection of a new pope, there is enthusiasm 'I'm just astonished that actually they've chosen an American pope. I wasn't expecting this at all,' Stacey Cannon said. Back in South Boston, Ray Flynn is hoping this new, American-born pope can lead to healing in the face of the clergy crisis 'The Conclave just chose the person they thought is best for uniting not only America, but the world as well, and that couldn't make me happier. It's exactly what we need,' Flynn said Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Airbnb guest bewildered by missing detail in luxury pad: ‘We've been ripped off'
It was too good to be true. Nothing is worse than being excited for a trip, arriving and then discovering that the pictures of where you planned to stay were nicer than the real thing. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to a model and her friend. Pilar Sarrión booked what she thought was a luxury short-term vacation rental in Barcelona, Spain, with promised views of the city's cathedral, according to What's The Jam. 3 Pilar Sarrión thought she had booked a luxury vacation rental. Jam Press/@pilarsarrion Upon arriving at their destination, Sarrión, who is from Madrid, and her friend were beyond stunned at the scam they fell for. When the friends ventured out to the apartment's patio, they were shocked to find that the supposed stunning views of the city's Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia they were expecting, were a measly cardboard print. 3 The cardboard print of the promised view. Jam Press/@pilarsarrion The fashion model took to TikTok to share their unexpected experience. 'We've been ripped off by Airbnb,' Sarrión said in the video. While laughing, she's heard in the video asking her friend, 'How much are you paying per night?' $568 a night,' her friend joked. The video has garnered over 2 million views, with people in the comment section just as horrified as the friends were. 'I'll rent you my place in Getafe, it has views of the Eiffel Tower,' teased a commenter. 3 The two friends posing in front of their 'view.' Jam Press/@pilarsarrion 'They never said it was going to be the real cathedral…' a comment read. '$568 a night for an Airbnb? Isn't it better to stay in a good hotel?' one person asked. In another video, the content creator clarified that they were kidding about the expensive nightly rate. 'Of course, we didn't pay $568 a night. We were joking, we didn't think the video would go viral.' Sadly, this isn't the first time a person has gotten scammed by being promised a good view when traveling. A flight attendant named Angela Ruth Strong traveled to Mexico with colleagues, as reported by Jam Press. Her coworkers raved that they were all staying in one of the best hotels. 'This was my first overnight in the city, and another flight attendant had told me that it [the unnamed hotel] was one of her favorites,' the crew member. However, when Strong arrived at this hotel, she quickly learned that her alleged skyline view was actually a print on a shade. 'I think I was more entertained than anything, and I had to share,' the flight attendant said, referring to her posting about it on social media.
CBS News
26-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Boston pastor remembers gifting Pope Francis a Celtics jersey and forming close bond
Mourners in Boston prayed for Pope Francis as his funeral was held in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The somber day was felt around the world, but the impact of his leadership resonated especially deeply. Pastor remembers close relationship with Pope Francis Bob Travers, the Junior Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, developed a close relationship with Pope Francis over the years. "It was a personal loss actually," said Travers. "I stayed several times at the guest house where the Holy Father lived, and he would come in for breakfast, and he would walk around the dining room and greet people. His experiences with Pope Francis went beyond just brief interactions; Travers had the unique privilege of a private audience with the Pope on several occasions. During one memorable visit, he gifted the Pope a Boston Celtics jersey, which Pope Francis humorously joked would not fit him. Instead, the Pope signed the jersey, allowing Travers to keep it as a memento of their bond. Travers has the jersey framed alongside several photos from the occasion. He remembers the meeting fondly. CBS Boston Travers had the rare opportunity to witness Pope Francis in a personal and unguarded light, and it affirmed what many have said about the late pontiff—he was as genuine behind closed doors as he appeared in public. "He was a man of faith and he wanted to carry that to everyone," Travers said. "What you saw was what you get. Not only for a personal aspect, but for the many millions of people that he encountered." Travers said he was shocked and saddened by the passing of Pope Francis but was honored to have had the chance to develop a relationship with him. "It touched me," Travers said. "Who would think that a kid from Boston would get to know personally a holy father of the Roman Catholic Church?" The loss of Pope Francis has been deeply felt not just in Rome, but across the world, with many remembering him as a beacon of humility and compassion. For Bob Travers and many more, the memory of the Pope will remain a cherished part of their lives.
CBS News
25-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Pope Francis remembered by Massachusetts Catholics for his humility and forgiveness
Among the tens of thousands mourners who flocked to the Vatican to pay their final respects to Pope Francis this week is the dean of students at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, Massachusetts, a church history teacher drawn to the tradition and the gravity of the moment. "To see the Pope and to pay my respects was really, really surreal. It was really emotional to be together with people from all over the world," said John Guinan, who spoke with WBZ-TV from St. Peter's Square. Pope Francis remembered for mercy and forgiveness Guinan said Pope Francis was about mercy and forgiveness, history's first Latin-American pontiff who charmed the world with a humble style and concern for the poor. "His messaging and his approach to things was very much a pastoral approach, which made him different," said Guinan It's a sentiment shared among people stopping by the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston on Friday. Mourners stop by Boston cathedral "Humility, he was humble. He kept it real, I think he was for the people and had compassion for the less fortunate," said Denise Alexiadis. Her nephew Elijah said Pope Francis had a message of peace and equality. "There should be more Christ-like figures like him, sad to see him go," said Elijah. Black bunting on the cathedral doors marks the moment. The death of Pope Francis set up a weeks-long process to pay final respects followed by Saturday's funeral and the conclave to elect a new pope. "I think the cardinals have to say, OK, where is the church now in responding to the needs of the world," said Guinan. "I think they need to see what person is best going to respond both to the needs of the church but also to an increasingly secular society in the west." As welcoming as Francis was, Frank Bechard hopes the church doors can be opened even wider. "You don't see a lot of young people, you do see some, but it's dying. We need a miracle," said Bechard. Pope Francis was seen as a breath of fresh air to the 2,000 year old institution that must now decide how his shoes will be filled.
