Religious News Service Photographs

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About this Collection

Conceived by journalist Louis Minsky (1909-1957), Religious News Service (RNS) was established in 1934 as an affiliated but independently managed agency of the National Conference of Jews and Christians (later the National Conference of Christians and Jews), and was dedicated to providing authoritative and bias-free news about religion and ethics to both the secular and religious press. This collection contains photographs documenting Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish groups. Coverage of Protestants (especially mainline Protestants) and Catholics constitutes the bulk of the images. View the collection guide to learn more. Digitization of some of the images in this collection made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Featured image: Father James Groppi, the civil rights activist priest from Milwaukee, and militant leader Rennie Davis are taken into custody during an anti war demonstration a block from the White House.

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Title:
They explore the mysteries of the heavens.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4010 THEY EXPLORE THE MYSTERIES OF THE HEAVENS CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy -- In the modern observatory at the Pope’s summer residence, Brother Matthew Timmers (right), discoverer of Timmers’ Comet, discusses with the Rev. Walter J. Miller, S.J., of New York, the method by which the track of the comet was logged. Some years ago the Papal Observatory was located in Vatican City, but electrical interference hampered the workings of the delicate instruments and it was moved here. Photography of the stars is a major activity of the observatory, and there are more than 10,000 pictures on file. The Papal Observatory was established by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (KEY-NY-MES-7B-6-C)
Creator:
Keystone Pictures (New York, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Timmers, Matthew., Jesuits., Catholic Church--Clergy., Miller, Walter J., Fordham University--Faculty., Specola vaticana.
Topics:
Popes--Dwellings--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Palaces--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Astronomical observatories--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Astronomers--Italy--Castel Gandolfo.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359828
Title:
Italian sisters care for orphans.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-4006 ITALIAN SISTERS CARE FOR ORPHANS ROME -- War-ravaged Italy presents few such happy scenes as this, which occurred at a convent near here where Catholic sisters care for abandoned and orphaned youngsters. UNRRA helps supply some of their rations. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (KEY-NY-MES-7A-6-C)
Creator:
Keystone Press Agency Ltd. (London, England) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.
Topics:
Catholic orphans--Italy--Rome., Orphans--Italy--Rome., Nuns--Italy--Rome., Children--Institutional care--Italy--Rome., Church work with orphans--Italy--Rome., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359825
Title:
Standards at Mother Cabrini Canonization.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 4088-4089 STANDARDS AT MOTHER CABRINI CANONIZATION ROME -- One of the canvases which hung from the balconies in St. Peter’s Basilica at the canonization of Mother Cabrini is shown above, left. The painting depicts the miraculous cure of Paul Pezzini, an Italian workman who for 25 years was afflicted with a tumor and who was also stricken with acute double pneumonia and an intestinal inflammation. This was one of the two miracles accepted in 1944 by Pope Pius XII which led to the diminutive nun’s canonization within 30 years after her death in Chicago. At the right is shown a standard which looked out over St. Peter’s Square, outside the Basilica. The canvas portrays the new Saint accompanied by two of the heavenly host, while at the bottom of the panel a ship steams through the sea toward the New York skyline. Mother Cabrini crossed the Atlantic 26 times, became a naturalized American citizen in Seattle in 1909. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (BE-RO-JOG-7B-6-C)
Creator:
Bergh. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano., Cabrini, Frances Xavier, Saint, 1850-1917., Pezzini, Paul.
Topics:
Gathering rites., Canonization., Christian saints--United States., Religious art--Italy--Rome., Christian art and symbolism--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359769
Title:
Banner at canonization.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: 4086-4087 BANNER AT CANONIZATION ROME -- Carried aloft in the Papal procession which opened the ceremony of canonization of Mother Cabrini in St. Peter’s Basilica was the resplendent standard shown here. On the front of the banner (left) Mother Cabrini looks down from heaven with compassion on the ill, the needy, and the helpless. The reverse side of the banner (right) depicts the small, frail nun as she knelt before Pope Leo XIII who instructed her to labor in the United States rather than go to China, a land which had attracted her from childhood. In the background is the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, which Mother Cabrini first beheld in 1889 upon completion of her initial voyage from Italy. Before her death in Chicago in 1917 Mother Cabrini crossed the Atlantic 26 times. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (BE-RO-JOG-7B-6-C)
Creator:
Bergh. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Cabrini, Frances Xavier, Saint, 1850-1917., Leo XIII, Pope, 1810-1903., Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano.
Topics:
Gathering rites., Canonization., Christian saints--United States., Religious art--Italy--Rome., Christian art and symbolism--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Statue of Liberty National Monument (N.Y. and N.J.)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359768
Title:
The few who are happy.
Description:
Alternate caption on reverse.
Creator:
Keystone Press Agency Ltd. (London, England) (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.
Topics:
Catholic orphans--Italy--Rome., Orphans--Italy--Rome., Nuns--Italy--Rome., Children--Institutional care--Italy--Rome., Church work with orphans--Italy--Rome., World War, 1939-1946--Civilian relief., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359673
Title:
The manger.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #1056 THE MANGER Pilgrims come to the Chapel of the Manger to kneel in prayer at the place where once the infant Christ was laid. The shrine is lighted by fifteen silver lamps which are kept perpetually burning. The manager [sic. manger] itself is preserved in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. (TD-NY-TD-11-29-5)
Creator:
Doyle. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Santa Maria Maggiore (Church : Rome, Italy), Jesus Christ--Nativity.
Topics:
Catholic church buildings--Italy--Rome., Chapels--Italy--Rome., Crib in Christian art and tradition--Italy--Rome., Crèches (Nativity scenes)--Italy--Rome., Christian shrines--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358813
Title:
Pope returns home from India.
Description:
C-31896 POPE RETURNS HOME FROM INDIA ROME -- A smiling but tired Pope Paul VI acknowledges the warm welcome given to him by a cheering crowd on his arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport from his momentous visit to Bombay, India. Thousands of people holding lighted torches and the ringing of church bells accompanied the Pope during his evening ride to Vatican City. Behind him were a four-day visit to Bombay and an 8,000-mile flight. While in the Indian city -- for the 38th International Eucharist Congress -- the Pope met with many government officials and leaders of non-Catholic religions. At these meetings and in his talks, the Pope’s themes were religious unity, peace and aid to the world’s poor. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (K-12B-64-NAB)
Creator:
Keystone Rome. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978.
Topics:
Papal visits--India--Bombay., Popes., Automobile travel--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:356587
Title:
Expelled nuns continue arrival in Rome.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-30762 EXPELLED NUNS CONTINUE ARRIVAL IN ROME ROME -- Nun missionaries expelled from Sudan's southern provinces form a stream of white habits as they arrive at Rome's Fiumicino airport. They were part of about 200 Catholic missionaries -- most of them Italian -- reaching Rome from the predominately Muslim nation. In all about 300 Catholics and Protestant missionaries are being forced out of Sudan after being charged with anti-state activities. The accusation has been vehemently denied by the missionaries. Some of the Catholic priests and nuns have been received by Pope Paul VI after coming to Rome. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (U-3D-64-NAB)
Creator:
Gilbert Photo Service, Inc. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino.
Topics:
Nuns--Italy--Rome., Women missionaries--Sudan., Exile (Punishment)--Sudan., Missionaries--Sudan.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Sudan.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353768
Title:
Pope opens Holy Week.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-30750 POPE OPENS HOLY WEEK ROME -- Pope Paul VI opened Holy Week for Catholics around the world by blessing palms on Palm Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls which he visited as the last of the Lenten stational churches of the Eternal City. The pontiff is shown holding blessed palms as he is carried on his portable throne amidst cheering crowds during procession under the basilica's porch. Present with the Pope at the services were about 70 cardinals and many bishops and priests. Later on Palm Sunday the pontiff appeared at a window of the Apostolic Palace to bless thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. He called on all Catholics to pray for "that peace of which the world has still such need while seemingly incapable of attaining it." Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (A-3D-64-NAB)
Creator:
United Press International. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls (Rome, Italy), Catholic Church--Bishops.
Topics:
Popes., Holy Week--Italy--Rome., Fasts and feasts--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353765
Title:
Children greet Pope with balloons.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-30694 CHILDREN GREET POPE WITH BALLOONS ROME -- Pope Paul VI was warmly greeted by hundreds of school children holding colorful balloons -- all inscribed "Viva Il Papa" when he visited the Rome suburban Church of Santa Maria Consolatrice. Later the white and yellow balloons were released by the waving and cheering children as the Pope watched with visible emotion. The pontiff is making Lenten visits to the stational churches of Rome. He has followed the example of Pope John XXIII who renewed the ancient custom in which the Pope joined priests and faithful in Lenten exercises at designated churches. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (U-3A-64-NAB)
Creator:
United Press International. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978.
Topics:
Popes., School children--Italy--Rome., Lent., Fasts and feasts--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353745
Title:
Pope at Lenten rites.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-30607 POPE AT LENTEN RITES ROME -- Hands joined in prayer, Pope Paul VI is shown on Ash Wednesday visit to the Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill where he joined priests and faithful in penitential rites and preached a sermon urging them to see in Lent a season of rich spiritual blessing. His Lenten schedule includes visits to other stational churches in Rome during the first five Sundays of the holy season. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (K-Rome-2B-64-TFD)
Creator:
Keystone Rome. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Santa Sabina (Basilica : Rome, Italy), Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978.
Topics:
Ash Wednesday--Italy--Rome., Popes., Holy Week--Italy--Rome., Fasts and feasts--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353721
Title:
Pope's gift to 'Anne Frank' art exhibition.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-30563 POPE'S GIFT TO 'ANNE FRANK' ART EXHIBITION ROME -- Pope Paul VI's gift to the "Anne Frank Italian House" now being built in Upper Galilee, Israel. The memorial to the famed Jewish martyr will care for children from all parts of the world. When an art exhibition was arranged in Rome to raise funds for the living memorial to the Jewish girl, the Vatican was asked if it wished to submit a painting or sculpture. At the request of Pope Paul VI, the attached bas-relief of Jacob and the Angel was executed by sculptor Lello Scorzelli of Milan. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (TZ-RO-3B-64-W)
Creator:
Publifoto Roma (Rome, Italy) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Scorzelli, Lello., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Frank, Anne, 1929-1945.
Topics:
Popes., Bas-relief., Relief (Sculpture), Holocaust memorials--Israel.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Galilee (Israel)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353712
Title:
Expelled nuns continue arrival in Rome.
Creator:
New York Times Company. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino.
Topics:
Nuns--Italy--Rome., Women missionaries--Sudan., Exile (Punishment)--Sudan., Missionaries--Sudan.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Sudan.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353673
Title:
Pope at Lenten rites.
Creator:
Keystone Rome. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Santa Sabina (Basilica : Rome, Italy), Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978.
Topics:
Ash Wednesday--Italy--Rome., Popes., Holy Week--Italy--Rome., Fasts and feasts--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:353550
Title:
United Presbyterian leaders meet Pope.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
United Press International. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Hawkins, Edler G., 1908-1977., Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985., Catholic Church--Relations--Presbyterian Church., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy.
Topics:
Popes., Meetings--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., African American Presbyterians--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Christian leadership--Presbyterian Church., Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity., Civil rights movements--United States.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349423
Title:
Pope receives Congolese.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
United Press International. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Palazzo apostolico (Castel Gandolfo, Italy)
Topics:
Popes., Catholic Church and world politics., Congolese (Democratic Republic) students--Italy--Castel Gandolfo.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349360
Title:
Pope takes helicopter flight to Orvieto.
Creator:
Religious News Service. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Palazzo apostolico (Castel Gandolfo, Italy)
Topics:
Popes., Papal visits--Italy--Orvieto., Helicopters--Italy., Corpus Christi Festival--Italy--Orvieto., Fasts and feasts--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349354
Title:
Papal audience.
Description:
Newspaper clipping from New York Journal-American featuring cropped version of image.
Creator:
New York Journal-American (New York, N.Y.) (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Hawkins, Edler G., 1908-1977., Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985., Catholic Church--Relations--Presbyterian Church., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy.
Topics:
Popes., Meetings--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., African American Presbyterians--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Christian leadership--Presbyterian Church., Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity., Civil rights movements--United States.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349328
Title:
Pope makes first helicopter trip.
Description:
Alternate caption.
Creator:
United Press International. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Palazzo apostolico (Castel Gandolfo, Italy)
Topics:
Popes., Papal visits--Italy--Orvieto., Helicopters--Italy., Corpus Christi Festival--Italy--Orvieto., Fasts and feasts--Catholic Church.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349287
Title:
Pope Paul, United Presbyterian leaders meet.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: PC-31432 POPE PAUL, UNITED PRESBYTERIAN LEADERS MEET CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy -- Leaders of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. became the first top officials of a U.S. Protestant denomination to have a private audience with Pope Paul VI. Meeting with the Roman Catholic pontiff for 20 minutes at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo were, from left to right: Dr. Edler G. Hawkins of New York, first Negro moderator of the 3.3 million member denomination; Dr. Eugene Carson Blake, chief administrative officer, and Richard L. Davies of Washington, D.C., lay chairman of the denomination's Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (PC-NY-8D-64-NBM)
Creator:
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Hawkins, Edler G., 1908-1977., Blake, Eugene Carson, 1906-1985., Davies, Richard L., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations., Catholic Church--Relations--Presbyterian Church., United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.--Clergy.
Topics:
Popes., Meetings--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., African American Presbyterians--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Christian leadership--Presbyterian Church., Civil rights--Religious aspects--Christianity., Civil rights movements--United States.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:349197

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