On Sept. 24, when Pope Francis delivered his address to a joint session of Congress during his trip to the United States, two representatives of the Diocese of Buffalo were in the room. Sister Johnice Rzadkiewicz, CSSF, director of the Response to Love Center in Buffalo, and Father James J. Maher, CM, president of Niagara University, were the invited guests of Congressman Brian Higgins. After the address, Sister Johnice provided some of her thoughts on the experience of hearing Pope Francis speak.

Bishop Richard J. Malone, who attended a midday prayer service at St. Matthew's Cathedral and the canonization Mass of St. Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Wednesday, talked to the media Thursday afternoon about the pope's trip so far. Bishop Malone will also participate in papal events in New York City and Philadelphia in the coming days. Here are some highlights from the bishop's media conference:

Father James Maher said seeing Pope Francis in Washington, D.C., in September is something he will remember for the rest of his life.

Pope Francis arrived in the United States on Tuesday afternoon, and judging by the reaction of people throughout the country, everybody's excited. See images from the first 24 hours of the pope's United States journey and how local Catholics are reacting to his visit.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In his lengthy speech to the U.S. Congress on Thursday, Pope Francis said the family is being threatened today like never before, and praised American figures, including Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., for their tireless efforts to defend freedom and values.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis made history Wednesday by performing the first-ever canonization on U.S. soil, of St. Junipero Serra.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - In the longest speech of his trip so far, Pope Francis on Wednesday praised U.S. bishops for their commitment to defending life, their handling of the clerical abuse crisis, and their welcome of immigrants, while urging them not to be afraid to do more.

BUFFALO - 101.7 FM WLOF Catholic Radio will provide listeners with exclusive live radio coverage of Pope Francis' historic visit to Cuba (Sept. 20-22) and the United States (Sept. 23-27), in conjunction with the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) Radio.

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (CNA/EWTN News) - Speaking to journalists aboard Tuesday's flight from Cuba to Joint Base Andrews, outside Washington, D.C., Pope Francis discussed his time in Cuba; the Church's social teaching, and personal freedoms in Cuba, as well as Cuba-United States relations.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis Wednesday reminded U.S. president Barack Obama that religious freedom is one of America's most "precious possessions," while lauding the nation's Catholics their work toward a society marked by tolerance and inclusivity.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - On the papal flight from Cuba to Washington, D.C., where Pope Francis held the customary press conference with journalists on board, an Italian reporter posed a particularly tough question.

HAVANA, CUBA (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis on Sunday spoke from the heart about the importance of spiritual poverty, the danger of worldly wealth, and the universal need for mercy. He made his impromptu remarks to Cuban priests, consecrated religious and seminarians at Havana's cathedral.

HAVANA, CUBA (CNA/EWTN News) - In an intense Sunday, Pope Francis on Sept. 20 said a Mass attended by 200,000 people in Havana's Revolution Square, visited Fidel Castro, improvised two speeches, and was welcomed with affection by the Cuban people. Here are some details you might have missed while he was in "the Rome of the Caribbean."

Pope Francis arrives today for his first visit to the United States. He will do many significant things in his six days with us. He will visit the White House, address Congress and the United Nations, and participate in a multi-religious service at New York's 9/11 Memorial and Museum, World Trade Center site.

Msgr. Robert E. Zapfel, pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Amherst, is especially eager for the pope's visit. The parish will debut its new technology on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 4 p.m., featuring Pope Francis celebrating Mass live from Philadelphia for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families.

HAVANA, CUBA (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis set aside his prepared remarks to respond to the dreams and hopes of young people who spoke to him in Cuba on Sunday evening.

When Pope Francis visits the United States at the end of this month, he will have just come from Cuba, the first papal visit since the United States and Cuba mended their decades-long hostile relationship.

As part of the World Meeting of Families, Pope Francis will make a whirlwind visit to three U.S. cities this month. During the week of Sept. 22-27 the pope will visit Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia.

NEW YORK - SiriusXM announced today that it will launch a special channel entitled "Pope Radio" that will be entirely dedicated to Pope Francis's first visit to the United States next week.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new, wide-ranging interview Pope Francis touched on a variety of serious and lighthearted topics, such as the current refugee crisis, youth unemployment and how often the he goes to confession.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - While Pope Francis is in Cuba next week chances are high that he will meet with former president Fidel Castro, though no specific time has been set, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi has announced.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - All official events for Pope Francis' upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. are ticketed, but there is a new opportunity for the public to see the Pope without needing a ticket.

When Pope Francis makes his first ever visit to the United States this month, he'll have a packed itinerary as he travels to Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia. Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo will also have a full schedule that includes several interactions with the pope.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis told couples to defend God's design for the family as the union of a man and woman for the procreation of children, and urged them to be merciful to those whose marriages have failed.

WASHINGTON, DC - Pope Francis will bless a five-foot tall wooden cross, known as "the Cross of the Encuentros" in Philadelphia later this month. The cross symbolizes the journey of faith of Hispanic/Latino Catholics in the United States. The blessing will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, upon his arrival to Independence Mall.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - By reforming the process for discovering the nullity of marriage on Tuesday, mere weeks before the beginning of October's Synod on the Family, Pope Francis has taken that issue out of the hands of the synod fathers.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a reformed marriage annulment process, Pope Francis has made significant changes, giving more of a role to the local bishop, dropping automatic appeals, and declaring the process free of charge.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - With many European families already opening their homes to refugees, the current head of the Jesuit's refugee agency says Pope Francis' appeal for parishes to open their doors offers a practical way of combating what is otherwise an overwhelming crisis.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - Choir members from around the Washington, D.C. archdiocese chosen to sing for Pope Francis during his visit later this month hope to stir the soul of the pontiff - and maybe even inspire him to sing along.

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, OFM Cap., archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded September 1 to Pope Francis' letter allowing all priests worldwide "to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a new set of pastoral guidelines for the upcoming Holy Year of Mercy Pope Francis has made some significant moves, allowing all priests to forgive the sin of abortion and granting SSPX priests the faculty to forgive sins.

After consulting with the Canonists of the Chancery, I have confirmed that the faculties granted to all priests of the Buffalo Diocese include the faculty of remitting the excommunication attached to the procurement of abortion. This has been the case in our diocese since the 1980s during Bishop Edward Head's tenure. By extending this faculty to every priest throughout the world, Pope Francis is reminding us of the limitless power of God's mercy and compassion.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA) - A group representing Catholic students with intellectual disabilities is hoping a U.S. visit from Pope Francis could spark nothing less than a renaissance in Catholic education.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Sunday Pope Francis said that the Eucharist is no mere symbol, but is in fact the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which has the ability to transform our hearts and minds to be more like him.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - Although Pope Francis will be new to the United States, visiting the country this autumn for the first time during his papacy, he will be well-seasoned in American history.

NEW YORK - SiriusXM announced that it will offer subscribers a chance to win two tickets to see Pope Francis celebrate Mass at Madison Square Garden during his first visit to the United States in September.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Echoing his predecessors on the need to care for divorced and remarried persons, Pope Francis said Christians should help these persons integrate into the community rather than treating them as though they are excommunicated.

In his second encyclical "Laudato Si," Pope Francis asks all citizens to recognize the planet earth as a common home for all people and creatures, and to work to protect that home.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Delivering his weekly Angelus address in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis said that while everyone feels shame before going to Confession, this grace helps us to be open to God's forgiveness.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNA/EWTN News) - The final plans are set for the public's chance to watch Pope Francis' Sept. 24 address to Congress live at the U.S. Capitol.