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USA Today
3 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Every mother thinks her son is a saint. Hers actually will be.
Every mother thinks her son is a saint. Hers actually will be. Antonia Salzano wasn't particularly religious until she saw faith through her son. Others can follow his example, she said while touring the US. Show Caption Hide Caption Pope Francis okays Carlo Acutis to become the first millennial saint Pope Francis approved the canonization of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who died in 2006 from leukemia. NEW YORK – Every mother thinks her son is a saint, but Antonia Salzano's is about to become a real one. Carlo Acutis was only 15 when he died of leukemia nearly two decades ago. But he had led the kind of holy life that set him apart from young people, Salzano said May 29 to a nearly full chapel at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx. She hopes his life can inspire others to develop their faith at a time when religion, including the Catholic Church, has been waning among young people. "Each one of you is special, remember," she told hundreds of congregants, including students. "God loves you infinitely and, really, you can be the light of the world." Acutis is set to be canonized by United States-born Pope Leo XIV as the first millennial saint. Salzano, who is Italian but whose grandmother was born in New York, is touring America to spread messages about her son's life to younger audiences. She spent the afternoon of May 29 visiting Mount Saint Vincent's and Manhattan's St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of New York's archdiocese. That is, when she wasn't stuck in New York City's infamous traffic. Acutis' holiness was visible in his daily life, Salzano told Mount Saint Vincent's parishioners, in his devotion to attending Mass and studying the eucharist, as well as in how he treated others. Salzano, who would go on to study theology to better understand her son, said she was simply a witness to this. "Of course, I'm not a saint," she told USA TODAY after the Mass. "I only have this role." Acutis died in 2006. Ever since, people have reported miracles after praying to him, including a Costa Rican woman cured from a severe brain hemorrhage in 2022, and a Brazilian boy whose pancreatic malformation disappeared in 2013. These documented cases propelled his sainthood. In 2020, Pope Francis beatified him, giving him the title of 'Blessed.' The College of Cardinals in July 2024 voted to canonize Acutis. He was set to officially become a saint on April 27 at the Jubilee of Teenagers, but Francis' death six days earlier led to a postponement. Acutis' canonization is now expected later this year. Mount Saint Vincent's Rev. William Cain admitted to parishioners before Salzano arrived that he had had trouble writing that day's homily. 'What might be holier than a saint?' Cain, a Jesuit priest, quipped. 'The mother of the saint.' Who was Carlo Acutis? Initially a mostly nonreligious woman, Salzano acknowledged her son was special. Acutis, born in London in 1991, began saying the rosary daily at around 5-and-a-half years old. At 7, he had his first first communion. His friends looked to him for guidance and support, and he stood up to bullies who picked on students with disabilities, Catholic news outlets reported. At home, his mother said he'd reflect each night: What did I do today? How did I behave ‒ with classmates, teacher, parents? Much of this is known, Salzano said, because he took lengthy notes as a boy. He wanted to win the battle of original sin that humans are born into, she said, echoing something her son would repeat: 'All of us are born original, but many of us die as photocopies.' A computer lover, he created a website about eucharistic miracles: the bread that exemplifies the body of Christ, becoming actual flesh, which Acutis chronicled of cases in Argentina in the 1990s; or, as he described, wine turning into blood, such as in Croatia in 1411. Acutis loved video games. But to discipline himself, he limited himself to one hour per week. Also every week, he went to confession. This purified him of sins that typically weigh on people, Salzano said. From 'Blessed' to forthcoming saint Scores of clergy and laypeople clamored inside the university's chapel to take pictures with Salzano and shake her hand. Young girls who wore braids and plaid skirts – telltale signs of Catholic school attendance – cued up. So too did boys, in burgundy polos and khakis flagging their religious school bona fides. Seated toward the back of the chapel, Clare Fay, 25, donned beige Adidas Gazelles and carried a tote. 'There are still saints today,' said Fay, originally from Alabama and a recruitment associate for a Catholic education nonprofit that sends teachers to Catholic schools across the country. Salzano spoke on Ascension Day, the Christian holiday when Jesus Christ is believed to have risen to heaven. 'It's not coincidental,' Kentucky native Troy Lasley, 30, a teaching fellow in the Bronx, noted. 'We would call that providential.' Fewer younger Americans, including Catholics, describe themselves as religious, polling shows. Pope Francis sought to bring the church to the people, especially younger people disaffected by scandal and abuse. Acutis personified that effort. 'When we look at the stories of saints, we don't necessarily see ourselves. The youth don't necessarily see themselves,' said Susan Burns, president of the University of Mount Saint Vincent and a psychologist, standing near the altar. 'To have a saint who is a millennial, very much, can speak to their stories.' Seeing the mother of a saint might help people explore their faith. Salzano said her son is a sign of hope for others. At the end of her speech, Salzano gifted the university a relic containing a piece of Acutis' hair. She handed out prayer cards depicting his image to hundreds of attendees. One woman sobbed seeing Salzano. Later, she told USA TODAY her daughter was living with a brain aneurysm. Seeing the woman whose son had helped someone with a similar condition seemed like a sign from God. She prayed to Acutis for her daughter. Salzano rushed out of the chapel as more people swarmed her. A car drove her through rush hour traffic, to speak at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Across Gotham, she'd tell others about her saintly son. Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@ or on Signal at emcuevas.01.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
97-year-old Holocaust survivor's wish of attending college comes true
Holocaust survivor gets her "Golden Wish" to attend college in the Bronx Holocaust survivor gets her "Golden Wish" to attend college in the Bronx Holocaust survivor gets her "Golden Wish" to attend college in the Bronx Tuesday was a day to remember for a 97-year-old Holocaust survivor who got to live out her dream of going to college. Jacqueline Kimmelstiel was quick to become popular during her first and only day at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx. She instantly became a favorite among her teachers as she took part in one-on-one lessons learning poetry and French. She also became an honorary captain for a basketball scrimmage, later jokingly admitting that sports were not her favorite. "No, no, no, not so much. No. I mean, I'll tell you the truth, so I'm not gonna lie," she said. Her day as a University of Mount Saint Vincent student was completed by receiving a Certificate of Achievement from Susan Burns, the school's president. Senior facility played a huge role in Kimmelstiel's big day Kimmelstiel was able to see her dream come true, thanks to RiverSpring Living, her home senior facility. Wendy Steinberg, the facility's chief communications officer, said RiverSpring launched a new program called "Golden Wishes" to help many of its residents achieve or participate in things they didn't have a chance to do during their younger years. "We ask them, what did you never have the chance to do? What did you never experience? And for Jacqueline, it has always bothered her that she only went to school until age 12. So we said, you know what? We can make this happen," Steinberg said. College for a day turned into a family affair Kimmelstiel was unable to continue her education due to being forced into hiding while moving throughout France. She later came to the United States in the late 1940s and worked as a seamstress. She also ended up meeting her husband, who was at Auschwitz. Kimmelstiel's grandchildren, Jonah Kimmelstiel and Rebecca Kevelson, joined her for her day as a college student. "Education was always something that was very important to our grandmother. Both her sons, my father and our uncle, became medical doctors. And all of us, you know, went to college and beyond professional school," Jonah Kimmelstiel said. For Kimmelstiel's grandchildren, being able to watch the 97-year-old achieve so much in one day was an honor. "Having gone through the horrors of what she and our grandfather went through as Holocaust survivors, and now she has four great grandchildren and a college degree, is almost really special," Kevelson said. Although Kimmelstiel was a student only briefly, she said she yearns to learn. "How wonderful it is to be so well liked, and all these beautiful things. And, I know that my late husband would be so proud," she said. You can email Erica with Bronx story ideas by CLICKING HERE.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PIX on Politics Daily: Race for NYC mayor
NEW YORK (PIX11) — Welcome to PIX on Politics Daily with Dan Mannarino, where we break down the day's political news, headlines and issues that matter most to you and have an in-depth conversation. Join us daily on PIX11+ streaming at 12:30 p.m. as we invite the newsmakers, lawmakers and players shaping policy that impacts local communities. On Tuesday, Dan was joined by J.C. Polanco, a professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, to discuss the current state of the New York City mayoral election. Watch the video player for the full interview. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Andrew Cuomo's comeback bid brings him back to a longtime foil: Trump
Two guys from Queens could soon be on a collision course — again. More than three years after Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace as governor of New York, he finds himself the front-runner to replace Eric Adams, the scandal-scarred mayor of New York City who is seen by some voters as too beholden to President Donald Trump. Cuomo on Saturday officially tossed his hat into the already crowded ring of Democratic candidates seeking to challenge Adams. Early polls have shown him with a double-digit primary lead over the incumbent mayor, who is also a Democrat. While Cuomo, 67, didn't mention Trump by name during his announcement, J.C. Polanco, an expert on New York City politics who teaches at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, said he didn't have to. "He is, like Trump, a Queens guy" who projects "a competent and tough persona" at a time when many New Yorkers think the city is out of control, Polanco said. "He can go toe-to-toe with his fellow Queens kid in the White House when needed," Polanco said. Cuomo already appears to be running against Trump, who remains deeply unpopular in his hometown, as well as Adams. At a recent fundraiser with wealthy donors, Cuomo likened the president to "the bully in the schoolyard" who tries to bend people to his will through intimidation, The New York Times reported Saturday, an account corroborated by Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi. During the pandemic, Cuomo often stole Trump's media thunder with daily updates on the battle against Covid that became must-see TV for some, as the Trump administration struggled to come up with a coherent response to the spreading plague. "His daily exposure and personal family stories, especially during shutdowns, made him a family TV fixture," Polanco said. As Trump prepares to take an axe to streams of federal funding on which New York City relies, many there may see in Cuomo the politician least likely to cave to Trump, said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic political consultant. "Andrew Cuomo is very smart about budgets, and he knows that New York City relies on federal dollars, and he knows that Trump is going to cut those dollars," Sheinkopf said. "Trump is serious about those cuts. So look to Andrew Cuomo to be the advocate for the city. Andrew Cuomo is going to be what's standing in the way of those cuts." Asked whether running against Trump is a wise strategy for Cuomo, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said Cuomo can bring it on. 'No Republican since 1988 has received as much support from the residents of New York City as President Trump did in the November election, and Democrats attempting to represent them should understand that fact," Fields said in an email. "New Yorkers have borne the brunt of radical progressivism and are desperately seeking relief through the common-sense policies of President Trump.' It's a far cry from August 2021, when Cuomo became a political pariah after the New York state attorney general concluded that he had sexually harassed at least 11 women with unwanted touching and suggestive comments about their sex lives or appearance. Under pressure from both local and national Democrats, including then-President Joe Biden, Cuomo resigned. Cuomo apologized for some of his conduct and said he didn't realize it made people uncomfortable. But he denied the most serious allegations and blamed "cancel culture" for his ouster. Then, he laid the groundwork for a political comeback. Meanwhile, Adams became increasingly more vulnerable after he was indicted last year on federal bribery and fraud charges. He had been facing trial in April, but the Justice Department suddenly moved to dismiss the charges against him. In the video announcing his bid for City Hall, Cuomo acknowledged he had made some "mistakes" as governor but quickly pivoted to talking about how he would take on some of the city's most pressing problems, like soaring housing costs, homelessness and crime. 'Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it, and I hope to show that every day,' he said in his announcement video. 'But I promise you this: I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it, and I will give it my all to get the job done — and it will get done.' Adams on Monday said he had not seen Cuomo's video and insisted he was not concerned that his rival's $8 million war chest is twice what he has mustered for his re-election bid. "I'm running on my record," Adams said. "You can't dispute records. You can't dispute what we have done. And there are naysayers, yea-sayers, and everything in between. But at the end of the day, no one can dispute the records." Polanco said Cuomo's admission of having made "mistakes" might be enough to reassure New York voters. "Trump rewrote the political playbook on the morality test in 2015 and has added several new editions," he said. "The days of not running for elected office because of a skeleton in your closet are over. Today, as we can see from President Trump, you can have an entire cemetery in your closet and still win an election." Sheinkopf mostly agreed. "That will be a problem with some parts of the population," Sheinkopf said of the sex harassment allegations. "But right now the feeling is that New York City needs somebody strong to manage a city that people feel has gotten out of control. People want a city that's cleaner and safer. And there is no question that Andrew Cuomo is a good manager." Cuomo also benefits from major name recognition as the son of the beloved-by-many former Gov. Mario Cuomo, the experts said. But don't expect the other Democrats, or Adams, to get out of Cuomo's way before the June 24 primary, Sheinkopf said. That group includes city Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and state Sens. Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie. Immediately after Cuomo made his announcement, Stringer accused the ex-governor of treating New York City as his 'personal punching bag' while he was in Albany and stiffing the city on badly needed funds to improve, among other things, subway service. Ana Maria Archila, co-head of the left-leaning New York State Working Families Party, which is also on the ballot in New York, told The Gothamist that voters shouldn't have to choose between scandal-scarred mayoral candidates. 'Andrew Cuomo four years ago was the person that every single person in the political class said was not fit to lead,' Archila said, 'and that's still true.' "This will be a contested race," Sheinkopf said. "Politicians don't believe they can lose, so they're going to stay in there for as long as they can." Also, said Polanco, "the city's matching funds program gives little incentive for people to drop out if they satisfy the bare minimum requirements to get the matching funds." But even before he officially launched his campaign on Saturday, Cuomo had already lined up the endorsement of key Democratic players like Rep. Ritchie Torres, who told the New York Post on Monday that 'Andrew Cuomo has the competence to govern the city. He has the courage to stand up to extremist politics — both from the far left and far right.' And while the progressive wing of New York's Democratic Party is not keen on Cuomo, Polanco said that "it is tough to say he did not govern as a progressive." Among other things, Cuomo can tout his support for marriage equality, criminal justice reform and pushing for things that Trump finds anathema like driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, Polanco said. Plus, said Sheinkopf, "New Yorkers like tough guy mayors" and projecting deference to Trump in this city could be the kiss of death for a mayoral candidate. "They want somebody who is going to stand up for New York City," he said. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Andrew Cuomo's comeback bid brings him back to a longtime foil: Trump
Two guys from Queens could soon be on a collision course — again. More than three years after Andrew Cuomo resigned in disgrace as governor of New York, he finds himself the front-runner to replace Eric Adams, the scandal-scarred mayor of New York City who is seen by some voters as too beholden to President Donald Trump. Cuomo on Saturday officially tossed his hat into the already crowded ring of Democratic candidates seeking to challenge Adams. Early polls have shown him with a double-digit primary lead over the incumbent mayor, who is also a Democrat. While Cuomo, 67, didn't mention Trump by name during his announcement, J.C. Polanco, an expert on New York City politics who teaches at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, said he didn't have to. "He is, like Trump, a Queens guy" who projects "a competent and tough persona" at a time when many New Yorkers think the city is out of control, Polanco said. "He can go toe-to-toe with his fellow Queens kid in the White House when needed," Polanco said. Cuomo already appears to be running against Trump, who remains deeply unpopular in his hometown, as well as Adams. At a recent fundraiser with wealthy donors, Cuomo likened the president to "the bully in the schoolyard" who tries to bend people to his will through intimidation, The New York Times reported Saturday, an account corroborated by Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi. During the pandemic, Cuomo often stole Trump's media thunder with daily updates on the battle against Covid that became must-see TV for some, as the Trump administration struggled to come up with a coherent response to the spreading plague. "His daily exposure and personal family stories, especially during shutdowns, made him a family TV fixture," Polanco said. As Trump prepares to take an axe to streams of federal funding on which New York City relies, many there may see in Cuomo the politician least likely to cave to Trump, said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic political consultant. "Andrew Cuomo is very smart about budgets, and he knows that New York City relies on federal dollars, and he knows that Trump is going to cut those dollars," Sheinkopf said. "Trump is serious about those cuts. So look to Andrew Cuomo to be the advocate for the city. Andrew Cuomo is going to be what's standing in the way of those cuts." Asked whether running against Trump is a wise strategy for Cuomo, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said Cuomo can bring it on. 'No Republican since 1988 has received as much support from the residents of New York City as President Trump did in the November election, and Democrats attempting to represent them should understand that fact," Fields said in an email. "New Yorkers have borne the brunt of radical progressivism and are desperately seeking relief through the common-sense policies of President Trump.' It's a far cry from August 2021, when Cuomo became a political pariah after the New York state attorney general concluded that he had sexually harassed at least 11 women with unwanted touching and suggestive comments about their sex lives or appearance. Under pressure from both local and national Democrats, including then-President Joe Biden, Cuomo resigned. Cuomo apologized for some of his conduct and said he didn't realize it made people uncomfortable. But he denied the most serious allegations and blamed "cancel culture" for his ouster. Then, he laid the groundwork for a political comeback. Meanwhile, Adams became increasingly more vulnerable after he was indicted last year on federal bribery and fraud charges. He had been facing trial in April, but the Justice Department suddenly moved to dismiss the charges against him. In the video announcing his bid for City Hall, Cuomo acknowledged he had made some "mistakes" as governor but quickly pivoted to talking about how he would take on some of the city's most pressing problems, like soaring housing costs, homelessness and crime. 'Did I make mistakes, some painfully? Definitely, and I believe I learned from them and that I am a better person for it, and I hope to show that every day,' he said in his announcement video. 'But I promise you this: I know what needs to be done and I know how to do it, and I will give it my all to get the job done — and it will get done.' Adams on Monday said he had not seen Cuomo's video and insisted he was not concerned that his rival's $8 million war chest is twice what he has mustered for his re-election bid. "I'm running on my record," Adams said. "You can't dispute records. You can't dispute what we have done. And there are naysayers, yea-sayers, and everything in between. But at the end of the day, no one can dispute the records." Polanco said Cuomo's admission of having made "mistakes" might be enough to reassure New York voters. "Trump rewrote the political playbook on the morality test in 2015 and has added several new editions," he said. "The days of not running for elected office because of a skeleton in your closet are over. Today, as we can see from President Trump, you can have an entire cemetery in your closet and still win an election." Sheinkopf mostly agreed. "That will be a problem with some parts of the population," Sheinkopf said of the sex harassment allegations. "But right now the feeling is that New York City needs somebody strong to manage a city that people feel has gotten out of control. People want a city that's cleaner and safer. And there is no question that Andrew Cuomo is a good manager." Cuomo also benefits from major name recognition as the son of the beloved-by-many former Gov. Mario Cuomo, the experts said. But don't expect the other Democrats, or Adams, to get out of Cuomo's way before the June 24 primary, Sheinkopf said. That group includes city Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and state Sens. Jessica Ramos and Zellnor Myrie. Immediately after Cuomo made his announcement, Stringer accused the ex-governor of treating New York City as his 'personal punching bag' while he was in Albany and stiffing the city on badly needed funds to improve, among other things, subway service. Ana Maria Archila, co-head of the left-leaning New York State Working Families Party, which is also on the ballot in New York, told The Gothamist that voters shouldn't have to choose between scandal-scarred mayoral candidates. 'Andrew Cuomo four years ago was the person that every single person in the political class said was not fit to lead,' Archila said, 'and that's still true.' "This will be a contested race," Sheinkopf said. "Politicians don't believe they can lose, so they're going to stay in there for as long as they can." Also, said Polanco, "the city's matching funds program gives little incentive for people to drop out if they satisfy the bare minimum requirements to get the matching funds." But even before he officially launched his campaign on Saturday, Cuomo had already lined up the endorsement of key Democratic players like Rep. Ritchie Torres, who told the New York Post on Monday that 'Andrew Cuomo has the competence to govern the city. He has the courage to stand up to extremist politics — both from the far left and far right.' And while the progressive wing of New York's Democratic Party is not keen on Cuomo, Polanco said that "it is tough to say he did not govern as a progressive." Among other things, Cuomo can tout his support for marriage equality, criminal justice reform and pushing for things that Trump finds anathema like driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants, Polanco said. Plus, said Sheinkopf, "New Yorkers like tough guy mayors" and projecting deference to Trump in this city could be the kiss of death for a mayoral candidate. "They want somebody who is going to stand up for New York City," he said. This article was originally published on
