I seem to remember during the last U.S. visit of the Iranian president, fair & balanced FOX NEWS would have a crawler underneath his image identifying him as “Axis of Evil Leader”. Every other news organization placed nothing other than his name with no opinionated description. Will you place one under the Pope describing him as “Pedophilic Cult Leader”?

Sure, Cecil, Fox can do that as soon as every public school principal is identified the same way.

Did you know that a child is 100 times more likely to be abused by a public school teacher than by a Catholic priest? Obviously not. It is only because the Catholic Church has such strong, never-changing standards, that people are so quick to point out when a very few priests sin gravely.

The Pope is the voice for all of humanity not just us Catholics! Human dignity is right that all of the world’s people should share under one umbrella. The Pope has something to teach us all; the questions is are we willing to listen with a clear conscience?

Fr Jonathan,

Thank you for your candid explanations to catholicism. I have been a cradle Catholic, and was fortunate to attend Catholic school for 12 years. One thing that struck me this week though was why the pope will not eat in public? I thought maybe it was something that Pope Benedict XVI just believes in, but in doing more research, I see that this has been a tradition with most popes (except John XXIII). Why is this? Is it a form of self denial of company while eating, or is something that is in the scripture.

God bless you Father and continue doing the great work you do for all of us!

- John

It was a wonderful, meaningful, thought provoking talk, with a standing ovation, no less, and at the UN! His talk to the workers was so warm and loving, and the pope’s interaction with the workers afterward was beautiful. He was certainly in no hurry to leave them. When the children were done singing, you could tell he just wanted to hug them all!

How blessed we are! As much as I loved JPII, Pope Benedict has filled me with such great HOPE, and love the words, “Christ, our only hope.” That is a live time meditation in and of itself. His talk to the Bishops left me in awe. Such a few words, really, that said volumns. Oh, that all was taken to heart and will be emplemented.

Viva la Papa!

Thank you, Father, for your answer to Cecil. Our prayer is she does listen and take to heart the Pope’s words so healing and love take over all our hearts.

Christ’s peace,

Judy

Father Jonathan

As a convert to the Catholic Church, in large part due to the passing of PopeJohn Paul II, This has been a very important visit for me. This visit has totally re-inforced my pride in the Catholic Church. The outreach that the Holy Father made to the victims of the abuse was needed–immensely. The sensitivity that the meetings showed should reveal that The Church has the ability to admit it’s own failures and continue to spread the Reconciliation that we and everyone else so desperately needs.

Viva Papa!!

Allan

As a convert to the Catholic Church, largely due to the passing of John Paul the Great, this visit was very important to me. This gave me an ability to make a connection to the Holy Father that I missed out on with John Paul II. In addition, the frankness and openness of Pope Benedict in relation to the Church Scandal has been much needed. In the Church we teach that when we sin, we must confess our sin and make ammends. The Church and Pope Benedict XVI has shown that the Church is held account to the same lessons. The meeting that was held with the victims of the abuse was needed, but not required. The gesture that the Holy Father made to the victims will have massive benefits, not only to the victims, but all those who are observing as well.

Viva la Papa

Allan

There is a major difference between the Iranian President and Pope Benedict, the Pope only speaks of peace and getting along with one another. The Iranian President only speaks of death and destruction…I don’t see how the two can really be compared. (No offense)

“I want to hear what you think.”

TOTALLY FWIW of course, from a purely personal standpoint my favorite part was at the very end of the address to the UN staff… It could have been spoken to any leader, or all, but the shared understanding was perhaps more fully appreciated by those needing less a reminder of the honor in service.

But then again I’ve had to fight the urge (repeatedly) to make comparisons between the UN & “Money Changers”. ;?P

That Doesn’t take away from the importance of the Pope’s address to the UN, where he was politically astute, pragmatic, yet spiritually uplifting, delivering a message of hope reinforced by both history and logic. I can imagine many in the press/media cringing as his Holiness spoke of a theme oft repeated by President Bush: “”Do unto others…”, yet I can’t think of anything more appropriate to an audience of diplomats. Focusing on the foundation, he spoke to everything built upon it, and to every woman & man. I loved his gentle reminder not to get too big for our britches, as I pray that everyone hearing his message extolling authenticity finds the courage within to embrace it.

Thanks,
mike

I think that the Pope’s speech was very well thought out and very subtly, brilliant. By speaking of the UN as a family, the basic unit of all societies, and as he mentioned also the first line of responsibility in protecting society and man kind, the Pope has found a way to undercut the argument of the realitvists. How can they argue against the family? Although they may try and change the definition of marriage and also family, they cannot deny the existence of the family unit in all societies and its function and responsibility as protector of mankind. Everyone has and comes from a family, it may be the most natural thing to mankind. Everyone can understand what the Pope is talking about when he talks of stronger members taking care of weaker ones just like parents or guardians take care of their children which they inherently and naturally feel called to protect. In this way the Pope has found a universal language to speak to all the countries at the United Nations and throughout the world and cut through the moral realtivists and their arguments of “other truths.” Their are no other truths that can contradict the existence of families in society.

I have enjoyed all the coverage. The Holy Father is being himself, not trying to be Pope John Paull II. He comes across as a very quiet, shy, and humble person. The church is lucky to have him as our leader.

I hope he comes back to America very soon.

Enjoy seeing you on Fox News.

I had to view this online- I missed it earlier today. I appreciated so much the Holy Father explaining so clearly the integral importance for allowing- even expecting people of faith not to relegate their religious convictions to some private corner of their being. As a part of the human person and the human experience, religious dialogue or dialogue motivated from faith based view points should be expected and encouraged in the public forum- especially at the UN level. I found that to be vindicating, counter cultural in a fresh and necessary way.

Thank you Fr. Morris for your vocation and how you use it in the public forum!!
Sincerely,
JFlemings

What about priest pedophilia in other countries? What about priests who have secret families (and there are some)? Lesbian nuns? What about the fact that in some countries in Europe, whether you are Catholic or not, money is taken from each pay and given to the Catholic church?

Why can’t priests and nuns get married? The Apostles were married. I believe they SHOULD be married. How can you council your parishoners on marriage and children if you have none?

Will the Pope be addressing those issues? Or will he continue to blame the American Catholic Churches pedophila problem on media in this day and age? (Even though most of the priests caught were old and would have started molesting BEFORE the Internet or 24 hour television.)

I also have a question that I have had since childhood. If God speaks directly to the Pope, then why, with each Pope do things change? For example: (No Limbo, some saints taken off the church’s calendar, new sins, can eat meat on Friday during Lent…… Is God changing his mind?

As a side note….I wrote before to say that I am a former Catholic. I just wanted to say that I DO believe in God. I just don’t like organized religion because someone always seems to twist it. I do however get great comfort from going to churches and just sitting, although God is with me anywhere I go.

I think that the Pope’s speech was very well thought out and very subtly, brilliant. By speaking of the UN as a family, the basic unit of all societies, and as he mentioned also the first line of responsibility in protecting society and man kind, the Pope has found a way to undercut the argument of the realitvists. How can they argue against the family? Although they may try and change the definition of marriage and also family, they cannot deny the existence of the family unit in all societies and its function and responsibility as protector of mankind. Everyone has and comes from a family, it may be the most natural thing to mankind. Everyone can understand what the Pope is talking about when he talks of stronger members taking care of weaker ones just like parents or guardians take care of their children which they inherently and naturally feel called to protect. In this way the Pope has found a universal language to speak to all the countries at the United Nations and throughout the world and cut through the moral realtivists and their arguments of “other truths.” Their are no other truths that can contradict the existence of families in society.

For a young Catholic man about to get married this summer and start a family, I hope the Pope will write more about the family in the future. As is I think this small speech was brilliant for its subtly and deep understanding of the truth and the argument of those fighting against it.

I am a Catholic and I want to express my thanks to Fox coverage and commentary of todays mass at St. Patrick church. No ticker, no divisive worldly remarks. How uplifting not to have a “fair and balanced” report. The spirit of hope and truth does not need to balanced with deceit and false belief of man. I hope this will begin a new way of reporting all news worthy events by Fox; “The truth” instead of fair and balanced. I must confess that I have not watched the news media in more than a year because I found no hope in the way the information is reported. Trusting in God and the truth his son gave us, I tuned in today and received from the broadcast a genuine love and appreciation of what was happening. Whether or not it was meant to be broadcast that way, I thank you all, and may God bless you always with the will to walk in the light of hope and truth.

I live in London UK. We haven’t even covered the Holy Father’s vist to the USA. I want to congratulate Fox News for the most wonderful coverage of the visit. And Thank God we didn’t have all of those advertisements. Anyway I have written to the BBC about not covering it. I told them that there are many catholics and christians in this country who pay their license fee and we deserve what the USA has done in its coverage.

Now the question?

Why was it not pointed that it was sacriligious for Juli (sorry I forget his name ) the ex mayor of New York to receive The Holy Eucharist. He did that in public and already comments have been made over here. I think it might be up to God whether he was right or wrong but he was a very bad example to Catholics who watched it - I for one was shocked. I don’t think he went to confession with a firm purpose of ammendmend (not for me to judge) but He will always support abortion. Just lets see what happens. I do hope this is said in the next few days when answering questions to your viewers.
Many might want that to be answered as I do know that YOu were all concerned about Senators going up to Holy communion at the stadium just to make a good impression even althought they supported abortion.

Please answer this if you will
god bless You father

ursula

Very profound and beautiful homily in St. Patrick …for sure to think over. I cannot imagine all the emotion people might be feeling, God’s presence it’s perceptible from afar through this humble man.
GBY

Dear Fr.Johnathon,
I would have loved to come to Washington or New York to see the Pope; I have no idea how you
can , or where to write to get that permission. Could you tell me how to email the Pope or write to him so he does to get to read my letter. I truly believe he does feel remorse for the victims from the abuse men and women went through. I wissh that was true overall. Then you would see a real surge of peope coming back to thier perspective churches; but so many have entered (no offense) “Born again” churches.
At thhis late point is there anyway I could try to see the point? I am 58, my husband 61,Cathoilic and have raised our 5 kids Catholic K through 12. Thankyou for any infffformation you could send me at my address ccroberts@cfu.net
God Bless,
CC

Comment by Catherine Norman
April 19,2008 at 1023pm cst
I have been inspired and encouraged by Holy Father’s visit. I have watched as much as possible of this historic visit. I have switched between EWTN and Fox news. I must comment on my surprise and delight of the comprehensive coverage by Fox news. You have earned my respect. The Pontiff’s visit has inspired me and so many others. I have been working on seeking an annulment for several years now. His visit has renewed my desire to complete my part of this request,which will then go before the Council. Thanks again Fox news- I am very impressed. Mostly,thankyou most Holy Father for this visit with your warm,humble visit.

just very moved, as a catholic but non practicing at this point, being disheartened and dismayed by the scandal not only in the catholic church but throughout the Christian and born again etc, and that Pope Benedict had humbly and sincerely given us again what Christ Jesus has preached all along, Peace to all, Love and Hope which can only be fulfilled when you truly surrender to HIM.

Dear Fr. Jonathan, Thank YOU for being there and Thank YOU to Fox News for this awesome coverage. ABC did some but it was tiny compared with your generous hours. I have to say, when the break came, I wondered what type of commercials FOX NEWS would plan for these times; I just shook my head when the commercial was for Viagra. Did they volunteer? Mercy me. As for the Pope’s concern for the pedophilia victims, I have to say I am very pleased to know he met with a few and was as straightforward and comforting (or tried to be) as he is. When the Holy Spirit moves through someone like our Pope, it is a wonderful sight. All the graces he exhibits are Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your kind response to Cecelia. To Ursula, juli’s name is Rudy Giuliani. This practice of pro-abortion politicians approaching a priest for the Holy Eucharist is sad. Some of us who have prayed for an end to abortion on demand are convinced that it will last as long as the Church does not PREACH loud and clear to these politicians that their support and perpetuation of abortion is grave sin. The foundation of our country was laid with Faith in God. That faith presupposes a respect for the Gift of Life. I cannot say more. What I see happening in our world today is a trend to insanity; pretending to live in reality, but living in pretend. Sincerely, Gramma Bunny Lee, Bremerton, WA 98310

Dear Fr. Jonathan:
I am a former Catholic and have been a practicing protestant for some years. My question is how do you know what is the real church that Christ wants us to follow ? There are so many different voices preaching so many different messages - how do we know what the Lord really wants for us ? Some of the Catholic doctrines don’t seem to line up with the Word ! How does one know for sure what is the real church ? I am struggling to understand and would greatly appreciate your reply !!

God Bless !!!

Dear Fr. Morris,
Please let your viewers who are watching the Pope that we Eastern Orthodox Christians are NOT Protestant.
Thank you.Anne Caluwaert

Thank you for your comprehensive coverage of the Pope. You get an A+ over CNN and MSNBC.
Oscar

PLEASE PLEASE could people stop talking when this is going on!!! WE like to hear what the children is saying. NO the COMMENTS from the TV reporter!!

PLEASE keep the commentaries to the basics … I could not hear what the young people were saying because of the voices of all the commentaries OVER the voices of the speakers.

Please pass this to all the news folks …

I was so sorry to have the Pope’s blessing over shadowed by the musician in the studio…how sad

Thank you Father Jonathan, Lauren, and everybody involved on Fox News. Extremely moving and very well done.

God Bless You All.

Thank you Father Jonathan for your holy sacrifice. To all fellow Catholics, please pray for our Priests, Nuns and Deacons. The Church is making a spiritual renewal and it is so refreshing to see the youth movement that John Paul II so emphasized.

Dear Father Jonathan,

I am a practicing Catholic and have been following the Pope’s visit on Fox TV. A question arose with some of my Catholic friends at Saturday’s Mass; Why does the Pope wear red shoes? It may seem a silly question, but it must have some significance that we seem to have forgotten.

Thank you for your time.

Richard Alibozek

(Parishioner at Our Lady Of The Rosary Catholic Church in Greenville South Carolina)

although the Pope represents the Catholic Church I believe he has been a light of hope in this troubled and difficult world for all of the people. The world needs hope! Only through the wolrd’s religions can we beging to honestly discuss the differences that keep us apart. We are more alike than we are different.

Dear Fr. Jonathan, thank you for your LIFE for the Church~particularly this broadcast of the Pope in Yankee Stadium. Your comments were very helpful and you were the perfect counterpoint to “Shep” who was a bit rude, abrupt and more than a little ignorant. Of course, he cannot be blamed for not being aware of the practice of the Mass, not being a Catholic. Except, as a journalist, he should have gone to Mass somewhere and learned what was expected. I would like to suggest that next time such an event occurs, all the non-Catholic press members educate themselves so they don’t offend those of us watching this as a Worship event. Now, I have a request–would you please visit Hannity’s America and have the Ave Maria played as sung by the guest singer on this Mass? Some of your erudite comments were covering that beautiful song and I found myself speaking to your image like an irate Catholic mother whose “son” was not being reverent. Even though I did not grow up Catholic, two of my Uncles raised their families Catholic, so I have heard that irate Mother language enough to recognize it. But never did I expect to hear it from myself. So, a little respect for His Mother, please. Love and Prayers, Bunny Lee bgrammabunny@aol.com

Thank you, Fr. Jonathan, for your gracious and accurate commentary on the Pope’s visit and the Mass. I am very grateful to Fox News for presenting the Mass at Yankee Stadium in its entirety without commercials. I am one of the hundreds of thousands of Catholics who “lost” the lottery to get a ticket into the Mass in DC, so it was a great gift to be able to watch most of the DC Mass earlier this week, and all of today’s Mass on Fox. May God bless and keep you.

Dear Father,
My husband and I both have enjoyed listening to you these past few day.s You
have done a wonderful job of explaining things to the public.
Fox News is very lucky to have you on their team.
God Bless you
Dave and Joyce Delaney
from Ohio too!!

Dear Father Jonathan: Fox News coverage of the Pope’s visit was wonderful and certainly pleasing to God. Your comments and asides as well as Msgr.Lisante’s brought understanding. Please pass along my thanks to the Fox News people. We want to see more of you on Fox News.
I’m sure God is blessing you!!
Wally Harpen
Wilmington, Ohio

Father Jonathan, I went to Catholic schools all my life and find you and your knowledge inspiring. Although it had been many years since I went to mass ( I believe in Communion in the mouth, genuflection, etc, my respect for the Nuns have kept me to this), if you ever come to San Bernardino California, I need you to hear my confession, and get me back on track. I see you will be in Thousand Oaks soon. Perhaps I can come to see you, but my MBA studies are nearing the end. Perhaps this degree will be used for the work of God and our Lady…yet I do not know how to do this as yet.
Cecil Doyle will get my prayers too. I pray that St Jude will help my mom with her fatal cancer, but seeing His Holiness, Benedict, makes me understand and remember that this shell we carry will not last and something better is coming, thanks be to God.
Keep up the good news, I watch you on Fox, get on Laura Ingraham (she is an awesome and enlightened Catholic Convert).

I have now a greater desire and will to go to confession. Prey for the Pope and the flock, myself needs any prayer and the entire world even more.

A child of Christ (but a rather unworthy one)
Chuck

Dear Father,

As a 56 year old who received the sacraments of Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage in the Catholic church, I have lapsed….terribly. Watching the Pope’s visit was so exhilarating to me, very much to my surprise. I watched every second of the coverage on Fox that I could. Tomorrow I’m going to my local parish and give it a second go…. I hope the young will do the same.

Pray for me…

Viva B XVI

Dear Father Jonathan
I am a cradle Catholic. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about Fox News coverage of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit. It was wonderful and made me very proud to say I am a Catholic. I too questioned his election as Pope but I guess the Holy Spirit knew what he was doing.
Please let Fox News what a fantastic job they and their correspondents did. My hat’s off to you and Msgr. Lisanti also.

God Bless You All
Johanne Harriott
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

I am hopeful this will not appear as a duplicate. I submitted it but it didn’t come through the first attempt so I will re do it.

I was so touched by the blessing of the children with special needs. As the mother of an adult with special needs, a blogger and author of a book on parenting children with special needs, I hear from many parents internationally who have been hurt by Christians and not necessarily welcomed in churches with their children. To hear the Pope’s blessings and acceptance was truly beautiful to me.

This Protestant was truly touched by the Pope.

God Bless,

Peggy Lou

Father Jonathan,
Last night during the coverage of the Popes departure, you briefly referenced a book written by the Cardinals on why they elected Benedict to become our next Pope. I cannot find this book anywhere in my general searches. Can you please email me the title and author of this book? I would really like to read it.

Totus tuus-
Carlin

Father Jonathan, I love you for two reasons: 1) you seem so very sincere, and 2) you are very handsome to look at. But on a serious note, I too am bothered by the reference to the Pope as “Holy Father.” The Bible says, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 23:9) As for your statement that Catholics do not worship anyone, kissing the Pope’s hands and bowing to him are nothing but idol worship. I was in Los Angeles when the last Pope visited the U.S. and was shocked to see the crowds of people running out into the street kissing the concrete after the “popemobile” went by. This is blatant idol worship. You say you agree that there is only one mediator between God and man, yet Catholics pray to Mary and the saints. I ask you to please read Chapters 9 and 10 of the Book of Hebrews, which explains how when Jesus died on the Cross, the Temple vail was spit in two and we gained access to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am sure that the early Christians looked to Peter and the apostles for direction, but they did not pray to them. And one other thing which troubles me - in the Catholic church you only see Jesus as a baby or on a crucifix. Yes, he came to earth in human flesh and died on a cross, but He is no longer in the manger or on that cross. We worship a Risen Lord! I pray, Father Jonathan, that you will read the Bible! You are too precious not to know the truth!

Father Jonathon,
I spent my whole weekend and the few days before watching the pope on FOX NEWS. They did a superb job. And I want to say “Thank you” to Fox News and to you for all the work you did.
God Bless, Marlene

Hats Off to Fr. Jonathan!!

Father Jonathan…
My sincere thanks are extended to you, the Monsignor, and the Fox Network. I was glued to the TV watching as much of the Pope’s visit as possible. Your commentary made the experience that much more special. I also so enjoyed the background information on our Holy Father’s, and your life and service to the Church.

My only regret yesterday was that I had to stop watching to go to Mass and although I left my recorder on, to view later, the tape ran out and I didn’t get to see the Pope’s departing ceremony (note: my regret was NOT that I had to go to Mass, but that I missed the story on TV ). I tried to watch Fox today to catch a follow-up story, but there was NO mention of the Pope at all on ANY network…about his departure, his flight back or his arrival back in Rome. You’d think that someone would have noted that he had a safe trip!!!!

Anyway, thanks for all you do, Fr. J. I’m looking forward to your future Fox visits as well as reading your book.

Warm regards,

Linda

There is a special page on God Tube, where you can find some of Father Jonathan’s interviews and his coverage of the Papal trip:

http://www.godtube.com/fatherjonathan

In addition, this site is constantly being updated with his interviews, as he gives them on Fox News Channel.

I want to thank The Fox News Network for the wonderful presentation of the Visit of the Pope to America. The mayors of New York and New Jersey, Presidents Bush’s reception of His Holiness and all the others involved were just terrific. The Fox News Network should be recognized for their role in the Pope in America. Both priest, Father Jonathan Morris and Father Elante? really explained everything so very well. It was so nice hearing from the Pope and His Holinees using a common sence approach to our love for Jesus, especially forgiveness. Going to Ground Zero, meeting some of the missing relatives of the 3,000 victims, saying Mass in Washington, D.C. at the Imacullate Conception Basilica at CUA, saying Mass at Yankee Stadium with over 50,000 people, meeting the special children and their parents, and the enormous crowds was fabulous. Thank you again for the fine job you did.

Want to tell FOX News how much my husband and I enjoy your programming in general. We are residents of New Zealand but are US Citizens. We keep FOX “on” most of the time and like to hear home news, “American” speech, etc. Most recently, regarding primary elections, and coverage of the Pope’s visit to USA.

As to the Pope’s visit, specifically:
I liked that your staff got so many close-ups of Benedict’s face. Caught the inflection in his voice during his presentations. Captured on film and commented on the jubilation of participants and witnesses. Helped me feel ‘there’. Helped me feel like I got to know who Benedict is and what his intentions and affections are. All very appealing. Impressive too is how he relates to all ages. Is humble and simple. Your coverage gave immediacy to all of that.

I compiment you on the extent of the coverage, to include the musical accompaniaments of the ceremonies, which is espeically important to me personally.

I liked the comments by the two priests you secured to explain what was going on and why. As a cradle catholic, totally steeped in Catholic teaching and tradition, it was reinforcing. As a family member and friend to many non-Catholics, I could appreciate how much the priests’ comments might help others understand the Pope’s meaning and what the Catholic religion is about. They did “us” proud! They were not sanctimonious; they were reasonable and approachable. You did well to select them for your programming!

Sue S.

Thank you Father Jonathan for your presentation of the Pope’s visit. It was wonderful and thanks Fox News for
the program. I also thank you Father Jonathan for your bog’s they are heart warming.

In your travels in the Fox newsroom if you should run into Bill O’Reilly, maybe you should pull him of the side and give him some Catholic teaching. Some of his remarks on the Pope where a little over board. Or if on your travels you ever run into Father John Corapi of EWTN maybe you could get Bill O’Reilly and him together, might
be interesting.

God Bless Father and keep up the good work we need you.

Hi Father Jonathan,
It was my pleasure to meet you boarding at DFW and briefly at SLC; I pray you are safely back in Rome at present. As a Christian, I was overjoyed at the reception that The Holy Father received in our country. He is the world’s most prominent Christian and uplifts an inspires all who believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. I was particularly grateful that he praised the goodness of the United States of America in what this country has done for the freedom of mankind since created by men of Christian faith some 200 years ago. Millions of Americans were inspired by a true man of God to see that we are not without faults, but not responsible for evil in the world as some politicians would have us believe. Those folks were strangely silent during the visit and probably not moved by the wonderful experience of love and joy that encompassed the whole occasion. As Christians, we should be the most joyous people on earth, after all we Know how the Book ends!
May God continue to Bless the Holy Father in His work and you in yours.
In The Love of Christ,
John Toler