A man has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after shooting his girlfriend, their baby and a clergyman at a church in Alabama, authorities said Sunday.

EAST SELMA, Ala. -- A man has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after shooting his girlfriend, their baby and a clergyman at a church in Alabama, authorities said Sunday.

James Junior Minter, 26, of Selma, Alabama, was arrested after opening fire during services at the Oasis Tabernacle Church in East Selma, Alabama, according to Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson. Jackson said the woman was Minter's girlfriend and that the shooting stemmed from a domestic situation.

Witnesses told police that Minter entered the church and sat in the front row between his girlfriend and the baby, according to a statement released by the Selma Police Department. Minter then pulled out a handgun and started shooting, the statement said. The girlfriend, 24, fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand.

This undated photo provided by the Selma Police Department shows James Minter.(Selma Police Department via AP)Associated Press 

The church's pastor, 61, then grabbed Minter and was shot in the leg. Members of the congregation helped subdue Minter and managed to wrest away his gun, according to police. Minter then ran out of the church.

The pastor was taken to a local emergency room for treatment, while the woman and baby were taken to a hospital in Birmingham. The victims are in stable condition.

After the shooting, Minter fled the scene but was captured by police less than a mile away. His vehicle was left at the scene and a gun was recovered at the church, the statement said.

Minter is being held without bond at the Dallas County jail. The Selma Police Department said Minter may face other charges and that a possible motive for the shooting was a disagreement over child visitation and ongoing domestic violence between the couple.

The two victims were taken to Baystate Medical Center by ambulance. Their conditions are not known.

HOLYOKE - Two people were injured in a shooting Sunday afternoon in the downtown area.

One of the victims was hit in the lower leg. The other victim was shot in the arm and possibly the abdomen. Both were brought to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield by ambulance, Holyoke Police Sgt. David O'Connell said.

The victims are currently being evaluated at the hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known, O'Connell said.

The shooting happened at about 2 p.m. on Dwight Street, near the intersections of Pine and Walnut streets, O'Connell said.

"There were several shots fired...10 or more," O'Connell said.

Holyoke detectives are currently on the scene and investigating the shooting.

Police do not have any suspects or motive in the crime yet, O'Connell said.

This is a breaking story. Masslive will update as more information becomes available.

John Musante served as the town manager in Amherst for five years.

AMHERST — When John P. Musante was named the Town Manager by Amherst the Select Board in September of 2010, those attending the meeting applauded after the unanimous vote.

Musante's sudden passing on Sunday morning has shocked his colleagues and friends.

"This is a tremendous loss of a dedicated father and husband as well as a talented, highly respected and committed professional," said Select Board chair Alisa V. Brewer in a prepared statement on the town website. "John always worked to make his beloved Amherst the best it could be. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."

Senate President Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, called Musante a "true public servant."

"I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Musante. Amherst has lost a true public servant who served several Western Massachusetts communities throughout his career. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," he said.

Many officials have taken to social media to express their condolences to his family.

Northampton lawyer Elaine Reall commented, "John 's death is a tremendous loss and shock to so very many people; he was my ideal of the quintessential public servant. A community/regional tragedy."

Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz expressed the city's "deepest condolences on death of our native son John Musante."

Kumble R. Subbaswamy, the Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst said on Twitter that he is "Terribly saddened by the sudden passing of my friend, Amherst Town Manager John Musante."

Even Amherst firefighters took to Facebook to express their sadness.

"We are saddened by the tragic and unexpected loss of Town Manager John Musante. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," Amherst Firefighters, Local 1764.

The cause of death is still unknown, however , according to the blog, onlyintherepublicofamherst, an ambulance was called to Musante's home Sunday for a medical call around 8:45 a.m. and he was rushed to Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.

The victim was rushed to Baystate Nobel Hospital. His condition was not available.

WESTFIELD - A male swimmer was rescued from the Westfield River Sunday afternoon.

The swimmer was rushed to Baystate Noble Hospital by ambulance. His condition is not immediately known, Westfield Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Hart said.

Police officials said they received a call at about 2:40 p.m. for a man who had been swimming in the Westfield River and went under water. He was rescued 20 to 30 minutes later.

The rescue happened east of the Great River Bridge, Hart said.

The Westfield Fire Department launched a boat to search for the missing swimmer. The Fire Department rescue team was assisted by Westfield Police and Massachusetts State Police. The Massachusetts State Police Air Wing also searched the river by helicopter, Hart said.

This is a breaking story. The Republican and Masslive will update as more information is available.

Fine artisans from around New England set up their wares under perfect blue skies.

DEERFIELD -- Fine artisans from around New England -- and those who admire their work -- flocked to Old Deerfield over the weekend to attend one of New England's oldest and most enjoyable craft fairs.

Now celebrating its 40th year, the Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair features pottery, jewelry, handmade dresses, upcycled accessories, fine woodworking and metal craft, custom leather goods, and unexpected finds.

Over the years, the fair evolved from a simple, home-grown event to a major regional attraction. The fair has a new professional coordinator this year -- Ella Colton is a 30-year-old performing artist who graduated from Hampshire College in 2008 with a degree in arts management and dance.

Food booths offered something for everyone, from Italian Ice to Polish galumpkies to Tibetan dumplings. Perfect weather prevailed with moderate temperatures, sunshine, and deep blue skies.

The fair helps support the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, which runs the Memorial Hall Museum and funds a number of educational programs on the area's rich history.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

Despite Leslie Allen Merritt Jr.'s impromptu assertion in court Saturday, investigators said they have proof that the gun wasn't in any pawn shop at the time of four shootings they say he carried out.

PHOENIX -- Soft-spoken and handcuffed, a 21-year-old landscaper insists that he is not responsible for a string of Phoenix freeway shootings and that his gun has been sitting in a pawn shop for months.

Despite Leslie Allen Merritt Jr.'s impromptu assertion in court Saturday, investigators said they have proof that the gun wasn't in any pawn shop at the time of four shootings they say he carried out.

Newly released charging documents detail the detective work that traced the gun to the suspect after he took it to a pawn shop. Weapons from various local pawn shops were test-fired at the state lab, Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said.

The Glendale resident faces several charges, including aggravated assault, criminal damage, disorderly conduct, carrying out a drive-by shooting and intentional acts of terrorism. Merritt told a judge that authorities have "the wrong guy."

In a brief court appearance, a prosecutor said Merritt should face a high bail after drivers spent the last three weeks on edge. Overall, 11 freeway shootings were reported, but Merritt is only charged in four.

"The suspect presents a dramatic and profound threat to the community," said Ed Leiter of the Maricopa County attorney's office.

Superior Court Commissioner Lisa Roberts set bail at $1 million, and Merritt, who had remained quiet during the proceedings, asked to address the court.

"All I have to say is I'm the wrong guy. I tried telling the detectives that. My gun's been in the pawn shop the last two months. I haven't even had access to a weapon," he said as he stood handcuffed in a black and white striped jail uniform.

But a charging document released late Saturday night by Maricopa Superior Court said that investigators determined Merritt had not pawned his gun at the time of the incidents.

Merritt was arrested Friday evening after a SWAT team swarmed him at a Wal-Mart in Glendale. Minutes later, Gov. Doug Ducey proclaimed on Twitter, "We got him!"

Graves said the break in the case was the result of exhaustive investigative work. Evidence from shell casings and bullet fragments determined that a gun Merritt pawned was used in four of the shootings on Aug. 29 and 30, Graves said. A tour bus, SUV and two cars were hit by bullets on Interstate 10 on those days.

Graves declined to comment on Merritt's statement in court that his gun was in the pawn shop at the time of the shootings and similar statements made by his family.

"The evidence as you'll see in the next couple of days speaks for itself," Graves said. "We're not going to get in a debate about that."

The charging document said that investigators determined by testing that the bullets and the bullet fragments from four incidents came from a gun that was owned by the suspect.

Burges McCowan, a criminal defense attorney who used to work as a Maricopa County prosecutor, said he would piece together where Merritt was during the shootings if he were handling his case.

"I suppose it's always possible the state jumped the gun and didn't thoroughly look through his timeline before going after him," McCowan said. "But I would hope in a case this important, they would make sure that the gun was not pawned during the time of the shootings."

McCowan said he would also emphasize the other incidents and why Merritt hasn't been charged in those. He also would not have allowed him to talk in court.

"I would agree with the judge who told him he shouldn't talk. He might have pinned himself in now for his defense," McCowan said. "If the records don't match up with that statement, he's made his situation worse."

Eleven vehicles in all were hit by bullets or other projectiles, such as BBs or pellets, while driving along Phoenix freeways between Aug. 29 and Sept. 10. There have been no serious injuries, although a 13-year-old girl's ear was cut by glass when a bullet shattered a car window.

Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead said the investigation continues into who is behind the other shootings.

Messages seeking tips about the shootings will remain posted on electronic signs along freeways, and a $50,000 reward is still available, Graves said.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Merritt's father was adamant that his son had nothing to do with the shootings and anyone who says he was involved is a "moron."

Leslie Merritt Sr. said he believes his son is being made a scapegoat by police who were desperate to make an arrest under immense public pressure.

"He has way too much value for human life to even take the slightest or remotest risk of actually injuring someone," the elder Merritt said. He said his son likes guns but is not a criminal.

Merritt Jr.'s Facebook page, confirmed by his father, has two video clips that show him firing guns into the desert toward a palm tree, exclaiming "whoo" after squeezing off a round.

The Wal-Mart where Merritt Jr. was arrested Friday is 6 miles north of where some of the shootings occurred along I-10, a major route through the city.

The shootings prompted several school districts to keep their buses off freeways, and some commuters altered their routes.

A man suspected of shooting three people in an Alabama church was likely upset over a recent breakup and visitation issues with his son, police said.

EAST SELMA, Ala. -- A man suspected of shooting three people in an Alabama church was likely upset over a recent breakup and visitation issues with his son, police said.

James Junior Minter, 26, is being held without bond in the shooting of his girlfriend, his infant son and a pastor who tried to intervene Sunday morning, according to Selma police Lt. Curtis Muhannad. The pastor has been identified as Earl Carswell.

Minter was arrested after he opened fire during church service at Oasis Tabernacle Church in East Selma, Alabama.

Witnesses told police that Minter entered the church and sat in the front row between his girlfriend and the baby, according to a statement released by the Selma Police Department. Minter then pulled out a handgun and started shooting, the statement said. The girlfriend, 24, fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand.

Carswell, 61, then grabbed Minter and was shot in the leg. Members of the congregation helped subdue Minter and managed to wrest away his gun, according to police. Minter then ran out of the church.

The pastor was taken to a local emergency room for treatment, while the woman and baby were taken to a hospital in Birmingham. The victims are in stable condition.

After he fled the scene, Minter was captured by police less than a mile away. His vehicle was left at the scene and a gun was recovered at the church, the statement said.

Minter is being held at the Dallas County jail. The Selma Police Department said Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and may face other charges.

Minter had been arrested before but details on the nature of his past encounters with police weren't immediately available, Muhannad said. Authorities are also investigating whether Minter violated a protective order, Muhannad said.

The shooting happened at about 2:50 p.m. on a beautiful, sunny Sunday.

This story updates one posted at 3:52 p.m.

HOLYOKE - A Sunday afternoon shooting that left two men injured, is tied to a troublesome gang based about two blocks from where the crime happened.

The two victims received non-life threatening injuries and are being treated at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. One was shot in the lower leg and the second was hit in the upper torso and in the arm, Holyoke Police Lt. James Albert said.

The shooting happened at about 2:05 p.m. at the corner of Dwight and Pine Street, on what Albert called a beautiful, sunny day.

"There were multiple shots fired. Our officers collected in excess of five to six shell casings and there may have been more," he said. "We believe there were two different guns used."

Police are still trying to identify suspects. They are interviewing witnesses, but are not getting much cooperation, Albert said.

Police did make one arrest but it was not directly related to the shooting, he said.

Joseph Estrada, 20, of Holyoke, was arrested about 45 minutes after the shooting and charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property. Estrada knows the victims and is being accused of breaking a window and damaging a car in a fit of anger after he learned about the shooting, Albert said.

The shooting is believed to be connected to a gang based at the corner of Dwight and Linden streets. Members are known as the bloods and affiliated with a national gang which started in Los Angeles, Albert said.

There may be another gang involved in the shooting as well, he said.

Police have had a number of gang-related problems in that area over a number of months, he said.

Bernardino Tosado, who owns three well-kept apartment buildings on Walnut Street, said he has heard frequent shots fired in the area over the past few months.

"I heard a shot and saw people running," he said of the Sunday crime.

Several family members live in the apartment buildings Tosado owns. He said he is especially concerned about his young grandchildren, aged 9, 8, 6 and 1, who live there.

He even built a protected yard with swings and other playground equipment so the children can play safely outside.

"When people are shooting they can hit other people, innocent people," he said. "They don't care about other people."

Westfield Fire Department searched for the boy by boat while Massachusetts State Police Air Wing searched the river by helicopter.

This story updates a report posted at 4:35 p.m.

WESTFIELD - A Chicopee teenager, who was rescued from the Westfield River Sunday afternoon, has died, police said.

The 14-year-old boy was swimming with friends near the Great River Bridge when he went under the water, said Westfield Police Sgt. Sgt. Michael Chechile.

Police received a 911 call around 2:24 p.m. from a caller who said someone was drowning, Chechile said.

The Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Police and Massachusetts State Police responded to an area just north of Hanover Street, where the teen was last seen in the water.

Firefighters searched for the boy in a boat while a helicopter from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing searched overhead. The teenager was found about 20 to 30 minutes later, Westfield Deputy Fire Chief Andrew Hart said.

He was rushed to Baystate Noble Hospital by ambulance where he later died, Chechile said.

Police are not immediately releasing the name of the boy until his family can be notified, he said.

Devine is one of the first female members of the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade Committee

HOLYOKE — For more than 25 years, Patricia Devine has made sure the St. Patrick's Parade successfully makes its way through the city. This year, she will be leading that parade.

Devine, who has been an official member of the St. Patrick's Parade Committee since 1988, on Sunday was named parade marshal for the 2016 parade.

"It is a great day. It is wonderful. I'm so proud," Devine said. "I think I'm going to be smiling for days and days."

Devine, who retired from the Massachusetts Lottery Commission about 18 months ago, said she was especially honored that last year's marshal, Raymond H. Feyre made the announcement. The two have been friends since childhood.

She has been getting plenty of calls from parade members and other friends but Devine said she was especially honored that one of the former marshal's, Bernie Lavelle, took the time to visit her to offer her congratulations when he couldn't find her phone number.

James M. Leahy, one of the two leaders of the parade's marketing committee, said the grand marshal award is the highest the parade committee gives. Honorees are typically long-serving, dedicated parade members.

"Not only is she on the committee, but she lives the committee," Leahy said.

Leahy said Devine is one of the first women to serve on the committee and has served on nearly every subcommittee. She often does a lot of behind-the-scenes work including serving as the financial secretary and the chairwoman of the rules committee.

"In her view the biggest thing is she wants to put the St. Patrick's parade down the road. Everything else in ancillary to that," he said.

The most notable of the jobs Devine said she has done is serving as parade president in 1999. In 2001, she also received the Thomas F. Rohan Award, given to a Parade Committee member who has made significant contributions.

While being parade president is a big commitment, Devine said it is rewarding to work with so many great people who all want to see the parade step off successfully.

"This is a great group and it is a big family," she said.

Outside her committee work, Devine also served as a City Councilor twice, first as the Ward 6 representative from 1990 to 2000 and then in an at-large seat for six years from 2005 to 2011. She is currently a member of the Fire Commission.

Unlike serving as parade president, Devine said she really has no duties as Grand Marshal other than being the representative for the St. Patrick's Committee and the parade.

"Parade marshals have one duty and that is to make sure the weather is good," she said.

She said she plans to dedicate her new position in the memory of Kara Shanahan, a long-term parade committee member who was selected as colleen in 1994. Shanahan, 44, died Sept. 2.

Devine said she especially is looking forward to all the events that will lead up to the parade.

"I'm so proud of my Irish heritage," she said.

COLCHESTER, VT – Two police officers shot and injured a 20-year-old, following an about hour-long standoff at his home early Sunday. Vermont State Police detectives are investigating the shooting by two Burlington Police officers, which is routine. When the investigation is complete there will be an independent review conducted by the Chittenden County State's Attorney's office and the Attorney General's...

COLCHESTER, VT - Two police officers shot and injured a 20-year-old, following an about hour-long standoff at his home early Sunday.

Vermont State Police detectives are investigating the shooting by two Burlington Police officers, which is routine. When the investigation is complete there will be an independent review conducted by the Chittenden County State's Attorney's office and the Attorney General's Office, police said.

Colchester Police initially received a call from a relative who said her nephew, James Hemingway, was making suicidal threats. Officers responded to his home at 38 Hawthorne Lane to check on his welfare at about 3:25 a.m., Vermont State Police said.

Police said no one came to the door but they could see Hemingway, who was holding a rifle, through the front window. They called for assistance and officers from Colchester, Burlington and Winooski Police departments responded.

Police also evacuated neighbors for safety.

Crisis negotiators initially were able to talk to Hemingway on his cell phone, but he eventually hung up, police said.

"During those conversations with negotiators, Hemingway threatened to shoot himself and others, to include police officers," police said. "At approximately 3:43 a.m., Hemingway called 911 and stated that officers needed to leave or someone would get hurt."

About 45 minutes later, officers saw Hemingway leave his home with a rifle and get into his car, police said.

"After traveling a short distance, Hemingway stopped his vehicle and got out. During this time frame, two Burlington Police officers discharged multiple rounds from their patrol rifles, striking Hemingway twice," police said.

Hemingway was struck in the abdomen and the foot. He was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center by ambulance for treatment, police said.

Police did not immediately release the names of the two officers.

Hemingway charged with disorderly conduct and simple assault. He was issued a citation to appear in Chittenden County Superior Court, Criminal Division next week.

A total of 93,248 attended the Big E on Saturday.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - The first weekend of the 17-day Eastern States Exposition fair wrapped up with performances from Alabama and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

Saturday 93,248 people attended the fair. The day celebrated 4-H and Future Farmers of America Day.

Sunday was Storrowton Day at the fair. Attendance figures will not be available until Monday.

There have been few complaints about traffic over the weekend although there were backups on Memorial Drive, especially on Saturday.

Monday will be "Salute to West Springfield" day. Some of the highlights will include performances at 3 and 8 p.m. by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes and for agriculture fans there will be multiple sheep shearing demonstrations in the Mallary Complex.

Here are some of the things people were Tweeting about the Big E this weekend.

Lawmakers will hear testimony on bills relating to human trafficking and international human rights as well as a number of bills proposed by Springfield area lawmakers.

The Legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing in Springfield next Monday to take testimony on bills relating to human trafficking and international human rights as well as a number of bills proposed by Springfield area lawmakers.

The hearing will be held at Western New England School of Law.

At 1 p.m., lawmakers will take testimony on a bill, which was spearheaded by students at Western New England University School of Law, extending the statute of limitations for human rights abuses. They will also hear testimony on other bills related to human trafficking and international human rights, including a bill establishing penalties for female genital mutilation.

From 3 to 5 p.m., lawmakers will take testimony on bills sponsored by several Springfield legislators, relating to topics including motor vehicle homicide, the false representation of military status, penalties for assault at youth sporting events, the videotaping of police booking processes and penalties for crimes against seniors.

All of these bills will have a hearing in Boston, in addition to the hearing in Springfield.

The pope is 'rebranding Catholicism,' one expert said, stressing compassion and mercy over rules and doctrine.

He was a dark horse in the papal election, a little-known Argentine cardinal who rarely traveled outside South America and whose emergence as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics surprised even the most experienced Vatican-watchers.

Less than three years into his tenure and with his first trip to the United States at hand, Pope Francis continues to surprise.

Pope Francis lets fly a white dove in front of pilgrims following his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 15, 2013. (AFP/Getty Images) 

On issues that represent the third rail of Catholicism -- divorce, abortion and homosexuality -- Francis has projected a far softer stance than his predecessors, roiling some in the church and winning fans among those who chafed under Catholicism's inviolable doctrines.

He has criticized clerics who favor luxury over simplicity and vowed to hold accountable bishops who enabled or covered up the sexual abuse of minors. He has invited dissent, urging bishops and cardinals to freely speak their minds as they chart the church's future.

And he has taken on governments and institutions, blasting unregulated, global capitalism as a blight on the poor and the environment.

More broadly, the 78-year-old pontiff has employed both impish charisma and frank dialogue to enliven a religion at risk of losing followers to more flexible faiths, analysts said.

"I never thought I would see a pope like this in my lifetime," said the Rev. Thomas Reese, who has written extensively about the papacy as a senior analyst for the National Catholic Reporter. "He's changing the priorities and style of Catholicism, and that's just an extraordinary thing to do.

"To use a secular analogy, he's rebranding Catholicism," Reese said. "He's stressing the compassion and mercy and love of God toward us as opposed to the rules and regulations we're supposed to be following."

To be sure, Francis has not changed centuries-old church doctrine. Sin remains sin. But the pope's more relaxed stance on hot-button issues and his pastoral approach have struck a deep chord with the faithful, said Christopher Bellitto, an expert on the papacy and an associate professor of history at Kean University.

"He is tapping into a silent majority of Catholics who have been very disaffected by the extreme politics of the pulpit and the very doctrine-heavy public face of Catholicism over the past 20 to 25 years," Bellitto said.

That period includes the tenures of Benedict XVI, a reserved theologian who became the first pope in 400 years to resign, and the beloved John Paul II, who, afflicted with advanced Parkinson's Disease, largely fell silent in his final years.

'Who am I to judge?'

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis is a man of firsts. First pope from South America, home to 28 percent of the world's Catholics. First Jesuit to be elected pontiff. And, perhaps, first pope in generations to boldly tread where previous church leaders have dared not or cared not go.

It was just four months into Francis' papacy, on a flight returning to Rome from Brazil, when the pope stunned the reporters accompanying him -- and in short order Catholics across the world -- as he discussed the topic of gay men in the priesthood.

"If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has goodwill, who am I to judge?" Francis said. "We shouldn't marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society."

Pope Francis gestures during a meeting with participants in the Children's Train event at the Vatican on May 30, 2015. The pope will visit the United States from Sept. 22 to 27, visiting Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images) 

The comment represented a sharp about-face from Catholic orthodoxy and from the views of Benedict, who in 2005 released a document stating men with deep-seated gay tendencies should not be priests.

Early last month, Francis delved into another controversial issue, urging priests to welcome divorced men and women into the church with "doors wide open."

Though he did not go further -- most of those who are divorced may not celebrate the sacraments of communion or confession -- the statement sent a dramatic signal of acceptance.

Then on Sept. 1, Francis sent new tremors through the church, issuing a letter allowing priests -- during a so-called Year of Mercy that runs from Dec. 8 until Nov. 20, 2016 -- to grant absolution to women who have had abortions, a "moral evil" that results in immediate excommunication.

Traditionally, only bishops have had the authority to forgive the act, though in the United States, some bishops, including Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, have allowed rank-and-file priests to do so.

In his letter, the pope did not minimize the church's fierce opposition to abortion, which it considers murder. But he expressed sympathy for women who have had abortions, particularly those women who believed they had no choice.

"I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision," Francis wrote, drawing on his experience as a parish priest in Argentina and as the archbishop of Buenos Aires. "I am well aware of the pressure that led them to this decision. I know that it is an existential and moral ordeal."

A willingness to criticize

It was in Argentina that Francis first demonstrated his willingness to challenge power.

As archbishop, he criticized the government's "crony capitalism" and treatment of the poor during an economic crisis that rocked the nation in 2001, leading to high unemployment, riots and political turmoil, said Reese, the National Catholic Reporter analyst.

Pope Francis waves during the Angelus prayer he delivered from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on May 31, 2015. The pope will visit the United States from Sept. 22 to 27, visiting Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) 

"He's not the kind of Argentine nationalist who thinks his country can do no wrong," Reese said. "He's going to be critical of the faults of any country. That's part of his job as pope, to point out when policies are not following gospel values."

He has challenged governments to do more to spare the environment and to address climate change, calling global warming a manmade problem that threatens to turn the world into an "immense pile of filth."

Since his election by the College of Cardinals, Francis has pointed the finger within the church as well.

Stressing the need for humility among priests, he has criticized bishops who live "like princes," and just seven months into his tenure, he removed a German bishop who had spent $42 million on a lavish renovation of his residence and other church buildings.

Bellitto, the papal expert from Kean University, said the pope is working to change the culture among bishops, urging reform from the heart.

"A lot of bishops are now saying, 'We really should be working in the soup kitchens,' and they're putting their cufflinks away," Bellitto said.

Francis is not the first pontiff to address the sexual abuse crisis, but he has gone farther than his predecessors to hold church leaders accountable, establishing a tribunal to judge those accused of harboring predators.

The first bishop scheduled to stand trial -- Jozef Wesolowski, a former Vatican diplomat accused of paying to have sex with children in the Dominican Republic -- died last month before the proceedings against him began.

Francis' activism has not endeared him to everyone. Some conservative Catholics, especially, have found his comments about capitalism and homosexuality offensive.

"Here's what I've heard: that he's Obama in a white dress, that he thinks he's Robin Hood and wants to rob from the rich and give to the poor," Bellitto said.

Despite that criticism, Bellitto and Reese said they expect Francis to receive a hero's welcome in the United States.

"I think he will be extremely warmly received by the people," Bellitto said. "We haven't seen screams like this for a pope since John Paul II arrived in 1979, and we hadn't seen screams like that since the Beatles came in the 1960s."

Mark Mueller may be reached at mmueller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarkJMueller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Drop-ins are welcome at a cost of $12 a session.

CHICOPEE - The Parks and Recreation Department is offering Hatha yoga classes for beginners and advanced beginners weekly for two months.

The classes will teach physical postures, meditation, breath exercise and relaxation in Iyengar Yoga style. The beginner class is slow-paced and focuses on safety in poses and controlled breathing. The advanced beginner class includes inversions, arm balances and directions to refine poses.

Both classes will meet on Wednesdays in the fitness room of Chicopee High School. The beginning class will run from 5:45 to 7 p.m. and the advanced class will follow from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.

The cost is $70 for residents and $80 for non-residents. Since the first class has already been held there will be a pro-rated fee for late joiners. Drop-ins are also welcome at $12 a class.

People interested in attending should register before class at the Parks office, 678 Front St. For more information call the office at 594-3481 or check online at www.chicopeema.gov.

Drop-ins are welcome at a cost of $12 a session.

CHICOPEE - The Parks and Recreation Department is offering Hatha yoga classes for beginners and advanced beginners weekly for two months.

The classes will teach physical postures, meditation, breath exercise and relaxation in Iyengar Yoga style. The beginner class is slow-paced and focuses on safety in poses and controlled breathing. The advanced beginner class includes inversions, arm balances and directions to refine poses.

Both classes will meet on Wednesdays in the fitness room of Chicopee High School. The beginning class will run from 5:45 to 7 p.m. and the advanced class will follow from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.

The cost is $70 for residents and $80 for non-residents. Since the first class has already been held there will be a pro-rated fee for late joiners. Drop-ins are also welcome at $12 a class.

People interested in attending should register before class at the Parks office, 678 Front St. For more information call the office at 594-3481 or check online at www.chicopeema.gov.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up nearly 126 points to end at 16,510.

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK -- Stocks rose broadly on Monday, recouping some losses from a sell-off last week, as investors tried to look beyond uncertainty about the outlook for interest rates.

The major U.S. indexes dipped into losses in the afternoon on sharp declines for drugmakers. The drop was sparked by a tweet from Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton about plans to stop "price gouging" in the industry. But rising technology and banking shares helped lift the market by the end of the day.

Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at BMO Private Bank, said that investors have been conditioned to buy after big drops during the long bull market, and that's what they did Monday.

"Investors who have been buying the dips in recent years have benefited," he said, "so perhaps they'll use that strategy until it doesn't work anymore."

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 125.61 points, or 0.8 percent, to 16,510.19.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 8.94 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,966.97. Nine of the 10 industry sectors in the index rose. The Nasdaq composite gained 1.73 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to 4,828.95.

Last week's broad slump was triggered by a decision from the Federal Reserve not to raise interest rates. Low borrowing rates have helped stocks triple in price since 2009, and a decision to keep them low normally would encourage investors to buy shares.

But the central bank cited concerns over a global economic slowdown for delaying a hike, and that spooked investors already on edge after weeks of seconding guessing growth in China and the impact of struggling emerging markets with plunging currencies.

Financial stocks rose Monday after comments from Federal Reserve officials over the weekend suggested some still foresee a rate increase as likely this year. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Dennis Lockhart said on Monday that he was "confident" of a rate rise this year.

Investors are betting that if interest rates rise, banks and other financial companies would be able to charge more for the loans they make. Citigroup rose 42 cents, or 0.8 percent, to $50.71.

Biogen, a maker of specialty drugs, was among the big losers after Clinton's comments on drugmakers. The stock dropped $17.51, or 5.6 percent, to $297.16. Dow members Pfizer, Merck and Johnson & Johnson also fell.

Atmel, a California-based semiconductor company, was one of the day's big winners. The stock surged after the company accepted an offer worth about $4.6 billion in cash and stock from Britain's Dialog Semiconductor. Atmel provides electronics products used in the industrial, automotive, consumer, communications, and computing markets. Its stock jumped 92 cents, or 13 percent, to $8.19.

In Europe, stocks stabilized from losses on Friday. Britain's FTSE 100 index rose 0.1 percent while the CAC-40 in France climbed 1.1 percent. Germany's DAX rose 0.3 percent.

The price of oil rose on expectations that U.S. production would continue to slip, helping to eventually ease the supply glut. Investors are also betting that a higher price for wholesale gasoline could spur refiners to process more crude. U.S. crude rose $2 to close at $46.68 a barrel in New York. Brent Crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, rose $1.45 to close at $48.92 in London.

In metals trading, the price of gold fell $5 to $1,132 an ounce. Silver rose 5.8 cents to $15.22 an ounce and copper was little changed from Friday at $2.39 per pound.

In other futures trading on the NYMEX:

1. Wholesale gasoline rose 4.7 cents to close at $1.403 a gallon.
2. Heating oil rose 2.3 cents to close at $1.514 a gallon.
3. Natural gas fell 4.7 cents to close at $2.605 per 1,000 cubic feet

In government bond trading, prices fell. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.20 percent from 2.13 percent on Friday.

A former peanut company executive was sentenced Monday to 28 years in prison for his role in a deadly salmonella outbreak, the stiffest punishment ever handed out to a producer in a foodborne illness case.

ALBANY, Ga. (AP) -- A former peanut company executive was sentenced Monday to 28 years in prison for his role in a deadly salmonella outbreak, the stiffest punishment ever handed out to a producer in a foodborne illness case.

The outbreak in 2008 and 2009 was blamed for nine deaths and sickened hundreds more, and triggered one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history.

Before he was sentenced, former Peanut Corporation of America owner Stewart Parnell listened as nine victims testified about the terror and grief caused by tainted peanut butter traced to the company's plant in southwest Georgia.

One of the victims was 10-year-old Jacob Hurley, who was just 3 when he was stricken by salmonella from peanut butter crackers that left him vomiting and rushing to the toilet for nearly two weeks.

"I think it's OK for him to spend the rest of his life in prison," Jacob told the judge.

Jeff Almer said his 72-year-old mother was battling back from cancer when she died in December 2008 after eating peanut butter from Parnell's plant.

"You took my mom," Almer said. "You kicked her right off the cliff."

When a jury convicted Parnell and two co-defendants a year ago, experts said it was the first time American food processors had stood trial in a food-poisoning case.

A federal jury convicted Parnell, 61, of knowingly shipping contaminated peanut butter and of faking results of lab tests intended to screen for salmonella. Judge W. Louis Sands estimated Parnell faced up to 803 years in prison for his crimes, but a punishment that severe would have been "inappropriate." He didn't elaborate.

"These acts were driven simply by the desire to profit and to protect profits notwithstanding the known risks" from salmonella, the judge said. "This is commonly and accurately referred to as greed."

Federal investigators found a leaky roof, roaches and evidence of rodents at the plant, all ingredients for brewing salmonella. They also uncovered emails and records showing food confirmed by lab tests to contain salmonella was shipped to customers anyway. Other batches were never tested at all, but got shipped with fake lab records saying salmonella screenings were negative.

Emails prosecutors presented at trial showed that Parnell once directed employees to "turn them loose" after samples of peanuts tested positive for salmonella and then were cleared in another test. Several months before the outbreak, when a final lab test found salmonella, Parnell expressed concern to a Georgia plant manager, writing in an Oct. 6, 2008, email that the delay "is costing us huge $$$$$."

Speaking in a shaky voice and wearing a rumpled white shirt and khaki pants, Parnell acknowledged problems at his peanut plant, but he never addressed the emails and company records.

"I am personally embarrassed, humiliated and morally disgraced by what happened," he said, acknowledging that some might see his apology as coming too late.

"It's been a seven-year nightmare for me and my family," Parnell told the judge. "All I can do is come before you and ask for forgiveness from you and the people back here. I'm truly sorry for what happened."

His brother, Michael Parnell, and the plant's former quality control manager, Mary Wilkerson, were also convicted. Michael Parnell was sentenced to 20 years and Wilkerson five.

Stewart Parnell and his co-defendants were never charged with killing or sickening anybody. Instead, federal prosecutors charged them with defrauding customers who used Peanut Corporation's peanuts and peanut butter in products from snack crackers to pet food. Parnell was convicted of 67 criminal counts including conspiracy, wire fraud and obstruction of justice.

Members of Parnell's family pleaded for leniency. His mother, Zelda Parnell, told the judge both of her sons "have suffered for years."

"They lost their income, all their material things and worst of all their pride," she said.

Stewart Parnell buried his face in the palm of his hand when his daughter, Grey Adams, told the judge that "my dad's heart is genuine."

"My dad is not greedy -- he never gave himself a raise and he never gave himself a bonus," said Adams, who worked with her father at Peanut Corporation but was not charged. "My dad and everyone in our family are profoundly sorry for the harm that was caused."

Three deaths linked to the outbreak occurred in Minnesota, two in Ohio, two in Virginia, one in Idaho and one in North Carolina.

"Today, I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive conservative message can rise to the top of the field. With that in mind, I will suspend my campaign immediately," Walker said in a Madison press conference.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Warning the GOP's presidential race has become too nasty, Scott Walker suspended his 2016 campaign on Monday and called on some of his Republican rivals to do the same, citing an urgent need to "clear the field" to help defeat GOP front-runner Donald Trump.

"Today, I believe that I am being called to lead by helping to clear the field in this race so that a positive conservative message can rise to the top of the field. With that in mind, I will suspend my campaign immediately," Walker said in a Madison press conference.

"I encourage other Republican presidential candidates to consider doing the same so the voters can focus on a limited number of candidates who can offer a positive conservative alternative to the current front-runner," Walker continued. "This is fundamentally important to the future of the party and more importantly to the future of our country."

One of the last Republicans to enter the race, Walker joined former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as one of the first to leave it, unable to adjust to the popularity of Trump or break out in either of GOP's first two debates. Both candidates warned of the billionaire businessman's influence on the GOP as they exited, although neither called him out by name.

"Sadly, the debate taking place in the Republican party today is not focused on that optimistic view of America. Instead, it has drifted into personal attacks," Walker said. "In the end, I believe that voters want to be for something and not against someone. Instead of talking about how bad things are, we want to hear about how we can make them better for everyone."

Walker's fall was in many ways more dramatic than Perry's.

He was thought to be a leader in the crowded field for much of the year and built a massive national organization with paid staff spread across the country that dwarfed many of his rivals in scale and scope.

"I'm not sure what went wrong," said Iowa state Sen. Mark Costello, who endorsed Walker earlier this year. "I think all the more provocative statements some of the candidates made got them more press.

"I don't think he made any really big mistakes," Costello said, "but people lost enthusiasm."

Walker, 47, tried to appeal to religious conservatives, tea party conservatives and the more traditional GOP base. He tried to cast himself as an unintimidated conservative fighter who had a record of victories in a state that hasn't voted Republican for president since 1984.

Like Perry, however, Walker found little room for such a message in a race dominated by Trump.

The real estate mogul, leading most polls, said he got to know Walker well, saying in a tweet, "he's a very nice person and has a great future."

He came to the race having won election in Wisconsin three times in four years, and having gained a national following among donors and conservatives by successfully pushing his state to strip union bargaining rights from its public workers.

Walker pointed to those Wisconsin wins, in a state that twice voted for Barack Obama as president, as signs that he could successfully advance a conservative agenda as the GOP's White House nominee.

He called himself "aggressively normal" and campaigned on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and made a splash in January with a well-received speech before religious conservatives in Iowa.

Groups backing Walker went on to raise $26 million, tapping wealthy donors whom Walker had cultivated in his years as governor and during his successful effort to win a recall election in 2012.

Walker's primary super PAC, called Unintimidated, had just begun spending making a major push in Iowa -- reflecting the governor's last-ditch strategy to place all of his chips on that first-to-vote state.

The super PAC told federal regulators in a filing Friday that it had spent more than $1.6 million boosting Walker this year, most recently on a $50,000 mailing to Iowa voters.

But Walker's fall was dramatic. He was unable to adjust to Trump's rise and repeatedly had trouble clearly stating his position on several issues.

He took days to clarify whether he supported ending birthright citizenship. He initially showed interest in building a wall between the U.S. and Canada, only to later laugh it off as ridiculous. Walker also declared he wasn't a career politician, despite having held public office for 22 straight years.

After Trump, Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina displaced Walker at the top of the polls, Walker took a more aggressive approach, promising to "wreak havoc" on Washington. He vowed to take on unions as president, just as he did as Wisconsin governor, outlawing them for federal government workers and making the entire country right-to-work.

But the anti-union policy proposal fell flat; announced in the days before the second GOP debate, it wasn't mentioned at all -- by Walker or anyone else -- on stage.

While only Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush had more super PAC money available to boost their chances in the original 17-person 2016 Republican field, Walker struggled to generate money for his official campaign.

He has yet to report fundraising totals to federal regulators, but top fundraisers and donors have said his plummeting poll numbers left them struggling to generate cash.

Walker called his senior staff to the governor's mansion in Madison on Monday to review recent polling, in which he was mired at the bottom of the GOP field, and his campaign's finances.

"I'm disappointed," said Stanley Hubbard, a billionaire media mogul from Minneapolis who had backed Walker's campaign. "He's a good man and would have been a good president."

As word spread of his decision to exit the race, Republican operatives in Iowa working for other campaigns were already making plans to contact state lawmakers who had committed to support Walker.

The Wisconsin governor had assembled a campaign organization in every one of Iowa's 99 counties and had a number of state lawmakers committed to him.

Cliff Hurst, one of Walker's New Hampshire co-chairs, was already planning to shift to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio's campaign.

He said he knew about three days ago that "it was over" and had been discussing an endorsement of Rubio as of Monday morning, before Walker's announcement became official.

"It was personally hard, but you know when it's over. I knew when it was over," Hurst said. "I'm smart enough to know that when you are @ less than 1 percent that you've not going to get any money."

Walker, one of the most divisive political figures in Wisconsin history, will have some work to do repairing his relationship with voters in his home state. His job approval ratings fell dramatically during his presidential run, hitting their lowest mark ever of 39 percent in an August poll conducted by Marquette University.

Wisconsin state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican and close ally of Walker's, said he "has an amazing story to tell about Wisconsin and the reforms we put into place."

But Vos said he suspects Walker realized he would have had a difficult time taking attention away from other candidates, like Trump, who are "sucking up a lot of the oxygen."

Walking the grounds during the 2015 Eastern States Exposition are Robert DeNiro, Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson. Really.

WEST SPRINGFIELD - You may have to look twice. Make that three times.

Walking the grounds during the 2015 Eastern States Exposition are Robert DeNiro, Danny DeVito and Jack Nicholson. Really.

Not quite but celebrity impersonators Robert Nash as DeNiro, Stu Gordon as DeVito and Jack Bullard as Jack Nicholson spent Monday taking selfies with fans, appearing in the daily parade and introducing Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.