Latest news with #Persico
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on election of Pope Leo XIV
As Catholics throughout the world celebrate the selection of Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Diocese of Erie weighed in on the historic election of Cardinal Robert Prevost. It came as a surprise to many that the new pontiff selected was born in the United States for the first time in the history of the Church. Bishop Persico echoed that surprise, but said the cardinals made a great choice. Bishop Persico said Pope Leo brings with him a wealth of pastoral experience and appears to be a more reserved man who looks to be committed to building bridges with others and wants to unite and heal people. Who is Robert Prevost, the American-born Pope Leo XIV He's a person maybe known by some, but not the type of person to be in the news a lot. Many familiar with the new pope said, despite his being born in Chicago, he's not as American as you might think. For most of his priesthood and life, been in South America and Europe, giving him the ability to unify the Church across continents. Persico said it will be interesting to see how he's perceived around the world. 'I think this is something we'll have to watch and see how this unfolds. I think it's a little too early to tell how it will be perceived. I'm sure many people are scrambling right now, especially in different countries, trying to find out who he is and what he is about. Time will tell us,' Bishop Persico said. Pope Leo XIV is a Villanova University alum: What we know The Diocese of Erie is encouraging people to attend masses offered for the intentions of the Pope. They're expected to start Monday. We'll announce the times for those services when we hear them. Bishop Persico's full remarks are as follows: Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, With profound gratitude and heartfelt joy, I write to you today as the universal church welcomes Pope Leo XIV's election as its new Holy Father. Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected the 267th successor to Saint Peter. In the wake of Pope Francis's passing, our prayers have been answered, and the Holy Spirit guided our choice of our new pontiff. Pope Leo, the first American elected to the papacy, brings a wealth of pastoral experience and a deep commitment to the Gospel. There is great anticipation that our new bishop, a faithful shepherd whose spirit of peace and commitment to building bridges, will guide us toward greater unity, healing and hope. His experience in South America, particularly Peru, and Europe gives him a unique perspective on unifying the church across continents. Though relatively new to the College of Cardinals, he is a spiritual leader serving as prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, a prominent role in the Catholic Church. As we embark on this new chapter, let us unite in prayer for our Holy Father, that he may be granted wisdom, strength and grace to lead the Catholic Church in these times. I encourage each of you to participate in this momentous occasion by attending Masses offered for the intentions of Pope Leo, and by including him in your prayers. May we, as a diocesan family, support our new Pope through our faith and sense of community. Let us also remember the words of Pope Francis, who reminded us that 'the church is called to be the house of the Father, with doors always wide open.' May we continue to embody this spirit of openness and love in our communities. Sincerely yours in Christ, The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, JCL Bishop of Erie Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico on the announcement of Pope Leo XIV. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Local priest provides insight as papal conclave quickly approaches
Roman Catholic cardinals across the globe are preparing to select a new pope, with the papal conclave kicking off on Wednesday. Following the death of Pope Francis last month, the Catholic church is getting closer and closer to selecting a new leader. Erie faithful gather for mass with Bishop Persico honoring Pope Francis The selection process will bring 135 cardinals from around the world to vote on the next pope in a meeting closed off from the outside world. A local priest said the secrecy of the conclave is to bring the holy spirit's influence into the decision rather than outside pressure. Marchers gather for 48th annual Erie March for Life 'They're cutting themselves off from the rest of society. A lot of prayer is going on and the holy spirit is working through them, and we trust that the holy spirit will bring us the right person for the right time to be our pope, to be the leader of the church,' said Father Michael Ferrick, with Saint Peter Cathedral. Those 135 cardinals will gather in the Vatican City this Wednesday to begin the selection process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Marchers gather for 48th annual Erie March for Life
The 48th annual Erie March for Life took place in downtown Erie Saturday morning. Marchers told us they gathered to be a voice for those human beings yet to be born and for their mothers. Gov. Shapiro's budget proposal addresses funding for childcare workers Multiple guest speakers, including Gannon University's Students for Life president, were in attendance. The march began at Perry Square, then proceeded west on 6th Street, south on Sassafras, east on 10th Street and north on State Street. Erie faithful gather for mass with Bishop Persico honoring Pope Francis The executive director said there is always a reason to choose life. 'Help is available, there are people to talk to. Get all sides of the story before you act. Our main message to the general public this is something that consumes all of us and all of us as a nation, as a state, as a community,' said Tim Broderick, executive director of People for Life. The theme of this year's march is 'live and let them live.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on passing of Pope Francis
As Catholics throughout the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, Catholics in Erie have been doing the same. Bishop Lawrence Persico described Pope Francis as a very pastoral pope who liked to be out among the people, and he pushed the Church in a new direction of inclusivity. The Latest: Pope Francis dies at age 88 after a stroke Pope Francis was known for embracing the simple life, choosing to live in a small apartment, cook his own meals, carry his own luggage, and pay his own bills, even after being elected pope. In his 12 years as the pope, he made strides for the Catholic Church in terms of pushing for acceptance. He was a more progressive leader, approving the formal blessing of same-sex marriages, speaking out against sexual abuse, abortion, evolution and climate change. 'He always took advantage of the opportunity to meet people where they were. That's what he basically taught all of us: that dialogue is important, it's necessary for us to have an exchange and understanding. I think he'll be remembered for that,' said The Most Rev. Lawrence Persico, bishop of the Diocese of Erie. Community gathers to dedicate street to late Erie leader A famous quote of Pope Francis was, 'We're all sinners, who am I to judge?' It meant that the Church and its members should be open to having dialogue with all people. 'We may not agree with them, but it doesn't hurt to have dialogue,' Bishop Persico said. Bishop Persico said the pope's death, while saddening, doesn't come as a shock as he had recently been hospitalized for more than a month, and even after he was released, Persico said he didn't look well. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now So what comes next? Bishop Persico said that the cardinals will come together to vote on a new pope, but none of that will happen until Pope Francis is laid to rest. In 15 to 20 days, the conclave will meet to vote. Where a two-thirds majority secretive vote is needed to name Pope Francis' replacement. 'There's a saying, those who go in as a pope come out as a cardinal. You can't always go by that with all of these so-called candidates. But, I think through the grace of the Holy Spirit, we will get a pope that is needed for our time,' Bishop Persico went on to explain. Fatal Millcreek fire remains under investigation The diocese will be announcing several services for the pope, and prayers, people are being asked to pray. You can find much more information on the Pope, including his life and legacy, online here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Arab News
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
‘A Dream Come True': Elisa Longo Borghini and UAE Team ADQ make history at the women's tour
'A dream come true.' For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Those were the words of an elated Melissa Moncada, head of team at UAE Team ADQ, after her squad made history on Sunday by securing the overall win at their home race. The UAE Tour Women, part of the Women's WorldTour — the highest tier of women's cycling — has been a key target for the team since the race's first edition in 2023. Along with team classification, Italian star Elisa Longo Borghini claimed the prestigious general classification red jersey for UAE Team ADQ, with teammate Silvia Persico securing second in the GC. Karlijn Swinkels placed fifth overall, while Lara Gillespie claimed the black jersey in the Intermediate Sprints Classification — a remarkable achievement on her Women's WorldTour debut after being called up from the UAE squad's development team. Teammates Elynor Backstedt and sprinter Sofie van Rooijen, who bounced back from a crash on stage one, provided crucial support throughout the four days of racing. Longo Borghini's decisive attack on Jebel Hafeet on Stage 3 proved to be the turning point. With Persico setting a relentless pace, Longo Borghini launched a perfectly timed attack 3 km from the finish line, securing a dominant victory and virtually sealing the overall title. Following Longo Borghini was Persico in second place. The team's overall triumph was sealed on the final Stage 4 on Sunday, despite Lorena Wiebes of SD Worx-Protime dominating the sprint finishes, winning three of the four stages. A pivotal moment Speaking to Arab News at the end of the tour about the crucial moment in the race, Moncada praised the entire team's effort, particularly the dynamic between Longo Borghini and Persico on Stage 3. 'Persico really is an athlete that can defend and fight for the victory of the leader,' said Moncada. 'Even though she brought Elisa to the amazing position that she was in, she fought to the end and arrived in second position. It's like they almost crossed the line together, so it was amazing.' For Persico, who has known Longo Borghini for years but had never raced alongside her until now, the partnership felt instinctive. 'It really seemed that we were always racing together. We just understand each other really well,' said Persico. 'I just started to work at the bottom of the climb and I was just pacing a bit hard. I wanted to drop as many girls as possible. And then when Elisa attacked, in my mind I was 'okay, job finished, I can rest.' But then I saw that I was feeling pretty good — a bit tired, yes, of course. And I said, 'okay, I'll try to do my best for the achievement, so maybe second place.' And yeah, I didn't give up and, in the end, I finished second.' Reflections on a team victory At the team presentations at the Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy on Sunday morning, ahead of the final day of racing, Longo Borghini — who won the race's inaugural edition in 2023 and counts the 2024 Giro d'Italia Women and Tour of Flanders among her many victories — reflected on her Stage 3 win. 'The race was very spectacular,' she said, acknowledging the crucial role her team played. 'Everyone was really committed to trying to win the stage and take the overall, and then you saw how the team was racing — it was pretty incredible.' Following the conclusion of the race, with UAE Team ADQ securing first and second in the GC, the sprinter classification, and the team classification, Longo Borghini emphasized the unity that led to their dominant performance. 'It feels quite amazing,' she said. 'From the very beginning of the season, the team pointed out that they wanted us to perform well here in the UAE. And of course, we came here for GC, but in the end, we are walking away with first and second on GC, the sprinter classification, and the team classification. And the one I'm the most proud of is the team classification because it shows how strong we were throughout these four days. And it's really been a team victory.' Longo Borghini, in the first year of a three-year contract with UAE Team ADQ, has firmly established herself as a cornerstone of the team's ambitions and according to both management and riders, the team is unified and riding as one. 'You can see the unity there. It's not forced,' said Cherie Pridham, UAE Team ADQ's head of sport. 'It's been actually one of my best weeks on a cycling team. To do that with these girls has been amazing. To have a leader like Elisa Longo Borghini with us, she just raises the bar and raises everybody's expectations — and ours as well, the staff — it's incredible.' The rise of women's cycling This UAE Tour Women was not only a historic moment for UAE Team ADQ but also for women's professional cycling. With crosswind conditions setting the scene, the UAE Tour Women set a record for the fastest-ever average speed in a Women's WorldTour race on Day 2, with an average speed of 48.407 km/h over the 111 km Al-Mirfa Sprint Stage. The leading group of five riders — including Longo Borghini, Lorena Wiebes, Lara Gillespie, Karlijn Swinkels, and Human Powered Health's Lily Williams — broke away early and held off the peloton. Pridham, a trailblazer as the first woman to hold a sport director role on a men's WorldTour team — a role she held prior to joining UAE Team ADQ — emphasized to Arab News at the conclusion of the race the significance of the race and the team's victory, highlighting the rapid evolution and growing professionalism of women's cycling, and in particular, UAE Team ADQ. 'I mean, we knew we were capable of it, and the work that we've all done in the background — the management continuously growing the team — it's just incredible,' she said. 'I'm lost for words. And I'm delighted for Melissa and the team, the management, and everyone that's put so much work and belief into this. The way the girls rode yesterday is just astounding. 'It's history. It really is,' she added. 'To see the sport grow — from where I was 25 years ago to how quickly it has evolved in just the last three years — it's unbelievable. And the way we operate at UAE Team ADQ is on par, I would say sometimes even better, than our men's team. I put myself on the line saying this, but women's cycling is definitely on the up, and it's incredible to be part of the growth.' The race's growing stature has not gone unnoticed by other teams. Oskar Scarsbrook, director of communications at Human Powered Health — a US-based team that elevated its women's squad to WorldTour status before its men's team — praised the event's prominence on the racing calendar. 'It's only been going on for three years, but it already feels like a statement piece on the WorldTour calendar. It's like, 'yeah, of course you're going to UAE in February for the UAE Tour.' It already feels like it has pride of place at the start of the year purely because of how good the racing has been.' One key factor contributing to the race's growing prestige is its comprehensive TV coverage, showcasing the intensity of competition from start to finish. 'TV coverage is the biggest thing with that,' he added. 'We've been lucky here because we've had it from kilometer one, which is massive. The crosswind stage on day two? The racing was quite literally from kilometer zero. In previous years, you would have joined with 40 minutes to go, and it would be like, 'okay, right, this is what happened.' And you'd have missed all the exciting stuff that set up what came later.' With the thrilling racing of the UAE Tour Women concluded, and the season just beginning, Longo Borghini and UAE Team ADQ have set the bar high. 'I'm very proud of every single teammate who made this possible,' she said. 'And I hope this is just the beginning.' Dawn Barnable is the founder and host of 'The Mettleset Podcast,' a platform dedicated to women in sport from across the region
