Pope Francis made the first overseas trip of his papacy this week, heading to Brazil mainly to preside over the five-day celebration of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. While visiting a country rocked by protests that began last month, the first Latin American pontiff chastised the Brazilian government for not doing enough to help poor residents.
The third installment of Hidden Maryland heads to Baltimore Carmelite Monastery, where 18 sisters from all walks of life garden, share meals, and cheer Baltimore sports teams in between devoting their lives to prayer.
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On March 27, Hindus across India and the Indian diaspora will observe Holi, a festival that in part marks the beginning of spring. In celebration, Hindu devotees spend the day smearing colored powder on each other’s faces and throwing colored water at friends and family, leading to Holi’s status as India’s “Festival of Colors.”
Local Holi celebrations often begin earlier, including Lathmar Holi in the northern Indian town of Barsana. Unique to the Lathmar Holi tradition is a ceremony where women use long sticks to beat men who sing provocative songs to invite their attention.
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the new pope by the Papal conclave on Wednesday. His selected name: Pope Francis. He is the first Jesuit to become pope.
After meeting to discuss issues, the Catholic Church’s cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday afternoon to elect a new pope. Meanwhile, near the Pantheon in Rome, the tailors at Gammarelli will make preparations of their own.
For 200 years, the ecclesiastical tailors have been creating garb for bishops, cardinals, pontiffs and priests. As Catholics await the announcement of the Vatican’s next leader, Gammarelli is expected to be already creating papal garb — in small, medium and large sizes so whoever is chosen will get the right fit.
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