It was a few heartbeats after that, when the 69-year-old, Chicago-born pontiff, the 266th successor to the throne of St. Peter, looked down at his hand.

It is 1,000 feet long and 750 feet wide. Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs, could fit within the square twice (with space to spare). The World Series could be played in St. Peter’s Square!

Plans are currently underway for the 25th annual Christmas Bazaar to be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Saint Peter and Paul Church, 717 State St. in Alton.

The Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul — the princes of the apostles and the patrons of the city of Rome — will take on a special character this year, especially for American Catholics.

Peter and Paul, and St. James parishes are to be properly preserved and safeguarded in the parish archives of St. James Parish, Jamestown, in accord with the norm of law.” The decree also stated, ...

According to church history, the apostles Peter and Paul arrived in Rome at the time of Nero (r. A.D. 54–68). There they found a small but committed group of Christians established among the ...