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:
Rome's great basilicas.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-45713 ROME’S GREAT BASILICAS -- HOLY YEAR SHRINES (Fourth of a Series) ROME -- Inside the Basilica of St. Paul’s-Outside-the-Walls, Corinthian columns support a procession of arches moving toward the apse. In contrast to the relatively simple exterior, the interior displays iridescent and striking mosaic decoration -- adapted from the Romans -- along the nave walls, on the “triumphal arch” leading into the apse, and on the apse itself. These mosaics are remnants saved from the fire which destroyed the old basilica and range in age from antiquity to the Middle Ages. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (R-7B-74-DS)
Creator:
Religious News Service. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., San Paolo fuori le mura (Church : Rome, Italy), Catholic Church--Buildings.
Topics:
Church buildings--Italy--Rome., Church architecture--Italy--Rome., Neoclassicism (Architecture)--Italy--Rome., Architecture--Details--Italy--Rome., Church decoration and ornament--Italy--Rome.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360851
Title:
PWs hold religious services.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: #S-4831 PWs HOLD RELIGIOUS SERVICES RIMINI, Italy -- German prisoners of war interned in an Allied camp here gather for religious services and hear a sermon by Pastor Adolf Freudenberg, a secretary of the World Council of Churches in charge of refugee work. Dr. Freudenberg is a prominent anti-Nazi who worked in Geneva during the war, assisting in the rescue of Jewish refugees. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (RR-GEN-BS-11C6-W-L)
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Freudenberg, Adolf, 1894-, World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Clergy--Italy--Rimini., World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons., Prisoners of war--Germany., Church work with prisoners of war--Italy--Rimini., Prisoners--Italy--Rimini., Prisoner-of-war camps--Italy--Rimini., Public worship--Italy--Rimini.
Geographic subjects:
Rimini (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360568
Title:
May become cardinal.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: MAY BECOME CARDINAL #C-4864 ROME -- The Most Rev. Giuseppe Siri, appointed last May by Pope Pius XII as Archbishop of Genoa, may soon be nominated to fill one of the six vacancies in the Sacred College of Cardinals according to reports from informed Vatican circles. He was formerly Auxiliary Bishop to the late Pietro Cardinal Boetto and now occupies what has long been a cardinalitial see. During the war he became popularly known as the “soup bishop” because he personally distributed meals from hastily-erected “soup kitchens” to thousands of needy who suffered under the German occupation. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (GF-ROME-BS-11D-6-C)
Creator:
Felici, G. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Bishops., Siri, Giuseppe, 1906-1989.
Topics:
Bishops--Italy--Genoa., World War, 1939-1945--Italy., World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Genoa (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360529
Title:
PWs hold religious services.
Creator:
World Council of Churches. (author)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Freudenberg, Adolf, 1894-, World Council of Churches.
Topics:
Clergy--Italy--Rimini., World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons., Prisoners of war--Germany., Church work with prisoners of war--Italy--Rimini., Prisoners--Italy--Rimini., Prisoner-of-war camps--Italy--Rimini.
Geographic subjects:
Rimini (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360407
Title:
War orphans.
Description:
Text transcribed from log book: #4625 WAR ORPHANS Italian.
Creator:
International News Photos (New York, N.Y.) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Orphans--Italy., Children--Italy., War victims--Italy., World War, 1939-1945--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Italy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:360296
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:
Italian war orphan.
Description:
Text transcribed from annotations: 4035 Italian war orphan.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
Orphans--Italy., Children--Italy., War victims--Italy., World War, 1939-1945--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Italy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359754
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:
Wheat from U.S.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption on reverse: The urban population in half of Europe exists on less than 2,000 calories and in some areas less than 1,500 calories a day. The food supply in the United States is on a scale that allows about 3,360 calories per person a day. Wheat is going from the United States to foreign countries now facing famine. Young Italian girls weigh and pack the spaghetti which will be sent all over Italy. It is made from wheat brought by the American ship. DN 292 Signal Corps Photograph. Bureau of Public Relations, War Department
Creator:
United States. Army. Signal Corps. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Italy., International relief--Europe., Emergency food supply--Italy., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Italy., Pasta factories--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Italy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359456
Title:
Flour from the U.S. for the relief of Italy.
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
World War, 1939-1945--Civilian relief--Italy., International relief--Europe., Emergency food supply--Italy., Reconstruction (1939-1951)--Italy., Flour.
Geographic subjects:
Italy.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:359455
Title:
Why church relief is needed.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: S-963 WHY CHURCH RELIEF IS NEEDED This scene, showing G.I.’s feeding Italian children leaving from an American mess near Naples, typifies the urgent need for relief supplies to Europe. American churches are now engaged in a drive to send supplies to Europe to supplement efforts of government agencies. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JGR-MAR-JGR-11-8-5)
Creator:
Roberts, John. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives.
Topics:
War relief--Italy--Naples., Reconstruction (1939-1951), Interdenominational cooperation., International cooperation., Church work with children--Italy--Naples., Food relief--Italy--Naples.
Geographic subjects:
Naples (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358923
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:
Ruins still stand at Monte Cassino.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: RUINS STILL STAND AT MONTE CASSINO #C-1966 CASSINO, Italy -- Bombed to rubble by U.S. Army planes, the ruins of Monte Cassino Abbey stand as mute evidence of the destruction of war. Top photo shows the tomb of St. Benedict, founder of the Abbey, and of his twin sister, St. Scholastica, now housed in a temporary structure (center) surrounded by the piles of masonry. Except for a few cracks, the tomb is undamaged. In lower photo, Army trucks and civilian car roll down the steep hill leading from temporary quarters erected for the 80 Benedictine monks of the abbey. Bomb craters still dot the terrain. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (PA-NY-MES-3A-6-C)
Creator:
Associated Press. (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Montecassino (Monastery), Benedict, Saint, Abbot of Monte Cassino--Tomb., Scholastica, Saint, active 6th century--Tomb.
Topics:
Cassino, Battle of, Cassino, Italy, 1944., World War, 1939-1945--Italy--Cassino., Buildings--War damage--Italy--Cassino., Monasteries--Italy--Cassino., Tombs--Italy--Cassino.
Geographic subjects:
Cassino (Italy), Cassino (Italy)--Buildings, structures, etc.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358713
Title:
Welcome to Rome.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-29946 WELCOME TO ROME ROME -- Stefan Cardinal Wyszinski, Primate of Poland, carries roses presented to him upon his arrival in Rome to participate in sessions of the Second Vatican Council. The cardinal, the highest-ranking prelate from a Communist country to attend the Council, headed a group of 25 Polish bishops. Some 35 other Polish prelates remained at home, not having received exit permits to attend the Council sessions. Cardinal Wyszinski, an outspoken critic of the Communist regime in Poland, recently delivered several sermons denouncing restrictions placed on the Church in his homeland. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (K-ROM-9E-63-RB)
Creator:
Keystone (Rome, Italy) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Bishops., Vatican Council (2nd : 1962-1965 : Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano), Wyszyński, Stefan, 1901-1981.
Topics:
Bishops--Italy--Rome., Communism and Christianity--Poland., Communism and Christianity--Catholic Church., Councils and synods--Vatican City.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Poland.
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358074
Title:
Vietnamese prelates in Rome.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-29930 VIETNAMESE PRELATES IN ROME ROME -- Prelates and priests from South Vietnam are shown as they arrived in Rome for the second session of the Second Vatican Council. Seven Vietnamese bishops were among the early arrivals. In a statement they said that one of the aims of the Council was to define the situation of the Church in the world. South Vietnam has been involved in a controversy in which Buddhists have charged persecution by the Diem government. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (A-RO-9D-63-W)
Creator:
ANSA (Organization) (publisher)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Catholic Church--Bishops., Vatican Council (2nd : 1962-1965 : Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano)
Topics:
Bishops--Italy--Rome., Freedom of religion--Vietnam (Republic), Buddhism--Relations--Catholic Church., Councils and synods--Vatican City.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy), Vietnam (Republic)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358071
Title:
Americans greet the pontiff.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-29911 AMERICANS GREET THE PONTIFF VATICAN CITY -- A gift for Pope Paul VI from Slovak Catholics of the United States. With the pontiff is Bishop Andrew G. Grutka of Gary, Ind. (far right) who led 250 Americans to the dedication of SS. Cyril and Methodius Institute in Rome. Making the presentation is Msgr. Stefan Nahalka, head of the Institute, as Paul C. Kazimer, supreme treasurer of the Slovak Catholic Federation of America, looks on at left. Slovak parishes in the U.S. contributed more than $400,000 to build the institute named for the Apostles to the Slavs. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JS-PAS-9C-63-W)
Creator:
Grutka, Andrew G., 1908-1993. (contributor)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Slovenský ústav sv. Cyrila a Metoda v Ríme., Grutka, Andrew G., 1908-1993., Catholic Church--Bishops., Náhalka, Štefan, 1916-1975., Catholic Church--Clergy., Kazimer, Paul C., Slovak Catholic Federation of America.
Topics:
Popes., Bishops--Italy--Rome., Clergy--Italy--Rome., Dedication services--Italy--Rome., Slovak American Catholics.
Geographic subjects:
Rome (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358067
Title:
Pope greets founder of Boys' Towns.
Description:
Text transcribed from caption: C-29880 POPE GREETS FOUNDER OF BOYS’ TOWNS CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy -- Pope Paul VI greets the founder of the Boys’ Towns of Italy and his principal collaborators at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Msgr. J. Patrick Carroll-Abbing has founded 40 institutions for homeless boys throughout Italy. Pope Paul expressed his admiration for the Irish priest’s program, which began 19 years ago when he found hundreds of children left homeless and fatherless by the war. “The blessing of God is obviously upon this work,” the pontiff said. “I may visit Boys’ Town soon,” he added, referring to the institution in Rome. Pope Paul also expressed pleasure at the cooperation of the American Committees for Boys’ Towns. Credit Must Read: RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (JA-RO-9B-63-W)
Creator:
Ashton, John. (photographer)
Subject names:
Religious News Service--Archives., Boys’ Towns of Italy, Inc., Carroll-Abbing, John Patrick, 1912-, Catholic Church--Clergy., Paul VI, Pope, 1897-1978., Palazzo apostolico (Castel Gandolfo, Italy), Caldera, Mario., Canaperia, Giovanni Alberto., Da Prato, Aldo.
Topics:
Popes., Clergy--Italy--Castel Gandolfo., Children--Institutional care--Italy., Orphanages--Italy.
Geographic subjects:
Castel Gandolfo (Italy)
URL:
https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/object/islandora:358059

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