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July 2, 2009
Pope accepts resignation of Brazilian who spoke about girl's abortion
Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of the Brazilian archbishop at the center of a controversy over excommunications related to the case of an abortion performed on a 9-year-old rape victim.
July 2, 2009
Out with a bang: Vatican closes Pauline year with a few surprises
Talk about a grand finale. The Vatican waited until the last day of the year of St. Paul to wow the world with two surprising scientific findings: the presumed bones of the apostle and the oldest known portrait of the saint.
July 2, 2009
Bishop says scientists, church still can learn from Galileo case
The 400-year-old case of Galileo Galilei and the Inquisition still serves as a valid warning that scientists should not presume to teach the church about faith and that the church must approach scientific discoveries with great caution, said the prefect of the Vatican Secret Archives.
July 1, 2009
New encyclical should prompt ethical review, Knights' leader says
When Pope Benedict XVI's social encyclical is released, Catholics shouldn't just ask, "What does the pope say I'm doing right?" but "What should I do to act more morally?" said the head of the Knights of Columbus.
July 1, 2009
Church social teaching confronts world problems with Gospel power
Backgrounder: Instead of focusing on theological beliefs, social encyclicals written by most modern-day popes have tried to shape the way Christians and all people of good will can better serve the common good.
July 1, 2009
More places for prayer, Gospel needed for new vocations, says pope
Young men need more places and more opportunities to listen to the word of God and reflect in silence so that they can better hear if God is calling them to the priesthood, Pope Benedict XVI said.
June 29, 2009
New archbishops find pallium shows their ties to pope, parishioners
The pallium "strikes me as somewhat of a wedding ring -- that we are intimately bound to our people -- our sheep -- as shepherds," said Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, "and we're also bound to the universal pastor of the church, Pope Benedict XVI."
June 29, 2009
Role of bishop of Rome key to Catholic-Orthodox progress, pope says
A common understanding of the role the bishop of Rome played in the united Christianity of the first millennium is essential for resolving the question of the primacy of the pope in a united church, Pope Benedict XVI said.
June 29, 2009
Closing Pauline year, pope reveals results of tests on apostle's tomb
Closing the year of St. Paul, Pope Benedict XVI announced that tests done on the presumed tomb of the Apostle revealed the presence of bone fragments from a human who lived between the first and second century.
June 29, 2009
Healthy collaboration between church, government of Vietnam possible, says pope
The Catholic Church is not a threat to the Vietnamese government and a healthy collaboration between the two is possible, Pope Benedict XVI told Vietnamese bishops.
June 29, 2009
Bishops must be loving shepherds, pope tells archbishops
During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, 34 archbishops from 20 countries knelt before Pope Benedict and received a pallium, a woolen band worn around their shoulders as a sign of their authority and their responsibility as shepherds.
June 26, 2009
At end of jubilee year, figure of St. Paul stands in clearer focus
After 12 months of special liturgies, conferences, Bible reflections, indulgences, concerts and pilgrimages, the Year of St. Paul has left the Apostle a more clearly defined figure on the Catholic landscape.
June 25, 2009
Even in midst of economic crisis, charity must continue, pope says
In the midst of an economic crisis, Catholic charitable agencies that assist Christians in the Middle East must give priority to caring for migrants and refugees and to reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip, Pope Benedict XVI said.
June 25, 2009
Pope offers support to UN campaign to end use of child soldiers
Pope Benedict XVI offered his public support to the United Nations' efforts to prevent the recruitment and deployment of child soldiers and said he prays each day for suffering children around the world.
June 24, 2009
Marking Red Cross anniversary, pope appeals for release of volunteers
Marking the 150th anniversary of what became the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for the release of all people held by kidnappers in conflict zones and especially for the release of an Italian Red Cross worker in the Philippines.
June 24, 2009
Priestly ministry requires giving oneself to Christ, pope says
At his weekly general audience June 24, the pope said the fact that the new Year for Priests overlapped for 10 days with the concluding year of St. Paul is a useful reminder that priests must be missionaries as well as celebrants of the sacraments.
June 23, 2009
Christian leaders say Obama's Cairo speech built bridges
Two weeks after President Barack Obama's groundbreaking speech in Cairo, several Christian leaders gave the president positive marks and expressed hope that it would open a new chapter of dialogue.
June 23, 2009
Conference focuses on religious traditions of majority, minorities
In the increasing global mixture of peoples, balancing the religious traditions of minorities and those of the dominant culture has proven to be a crucial and delicate task, said participants at an international conference in Italy.
June 23, 2009
Receiving woolen pallium, archbishops are reminded they are shepherds
Every year on June 29, the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the pope places a pallium around the neck of each prelate named in the past year to head an archdiocese.
June 23, 2009
Pope to meet Obama July 10
Pope Benedict XVI will welcome U.S. President Barack Obama to the Vatican July 10 for an audience scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
June 22, 2009
Vatican official: Relations with Muslims better, but problems remain
Relations with Muslims have improved significantly in recent years, but problems remain on issues like conversion and freedom of worship, the Vatican's top interreligious dialogue official said.
June 22, 2009
Pope names envoys to celebrations closing Pauline year
While Pope Benedict XVI will preside over the closing of the year of St. Paul at the Rome basilica built over the saint's tomb, the pope has named seven cardinals to preside over events in countries where the apostle lived and preached.
June 22, 2009
Pope visits tomb of St. Padre Pio, asks priests to imitate him
St. Padre Pio's devotion to the Eucharist, the hours he spent in the confessional and his concrete care for the sick make him a model all priests should try to imitate, Pope Benedict XVI said.
June 22, 2009
Dispensing condoms in schools trivializes sexuality, says papal vicar
Distributing condoms to teens in high schools in the Italian province of Rome trivializes sexuality and neglects the need to teach responsibility and respect, said the papal vicar for Rome.
June 22, 2009
Pope Pius XII promoter says Jewish pressure an obstacle to sainthood
A top proponent of the beatification of Pope Pius XII said Pope Benedict XVI has not moved the cause forward because Jewish groups have warned it would permanently damage Catholic-Jewish relations.
June 22, 2009
Pope appeals for Africa as world's hungry reach 1 billion mark
In a letter to the president of Germany, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his concern at the plight of struggling African countries during the current global economic crisis.
June 19, 2009
Pope opens Year for Priests, says they must witness God's compassion
Formally opening the Year for Priests, Pope Benedict urged all priests to strive for holiness and said the ordained ministry was indispensable for the church and the world.
June 19, 2009
Pope prays every day for peace in Middle East, Christians in Iraq
"I pray constantly for peace in the Middle East, in particular for Christians who live in the beloved Iraqi nation; I present their sufferings to the Lord in the Eucharistic sacrifice every day," the pope said.
June 19, 2009
Women religious to combat human trafficking for 2010 sporting events
Criminals thinking about trafficking women and children for prostitution at the world's largest sporting events in 2010 will have to face the combined force of hundreds of women's religious orders.
June 19, 2009
Off the radar: Pope's teaching ministry finds little echo in media
News coverage of Pope Benedict XVI tends to leap from big event to big event, so perhaps it's no surprise that after his Holy Land pilgrimage last month the German pontiff has fallen off the mainstream media radar.
June 18, 2009
Pope thanks God for gift of priesthood, but also recognizes failures
In a letter for the Year for Priests, the pope said the Catholic Church must acknowledge that some priests have done great harm to others, but it also must thank God for the gifts the majority of priests have given to the church and the world.
June 17, 2009
Vatican must push for more religious freedom in China, says cardinal
Too much importance is being given to establishing diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China and not enough is being done to push for greater religious freedom on the mainland, said retired Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun.
June 17, 2009
Vatican editor says postwar hostility toward Pope Pius XII unjustified
The hostility toward Pope Pius XII in the years following World War II was the unjustified result of his firm stance against communism and an unfair comparison with his successor, Pope John XXIII, said the editor of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.
June 17, 2009
Planned ordination of St. Pius X priests 'illegitimate,' Vatican says
If the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X ordains new priests at the end of June as planned, the ordinations would be illegitimate, the Vatican said.
June 17, 2009
Pope says religious values must be part of solving world's problems
At the end of his weekly general audience June 17, Pope Benedict greeted 129 religious leaders from around the world who had been meeting in Italy ahead of the G-8 summit, scheduled for early July.
June 17, 2009
People must hear Gospel, praise God in their own language, pope says
The Gospel message cannot be fully part of people's lives unless it has been faithfully translated into their language and is reflected in their culture, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
June 16, 2009
MySpace, Facebook users at Vatican hit firewalls
People trying to poke a friend or post a status update on their Facebook page from a computer connected to the Vatican network will hit a powerful firewall that says the requested page cannot be viewed because it does not fulfill the network's "access protection criteria."
June 16, 2009
Pope meets leaders of Austrian church to discuss current problems
Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials met June 15-16 with four representatives of the Austrian bishops' conference to discuss recent problems in the life of the church, including the controversy over the appointment of a bishop earlier this year.
June 16, 2009
U.S. Dominican theologian named secretary of worship congregation
Pope Benedict XVI has named U.S. Dominican Father J. Augustine DiNoia an archbishop and secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.
June 15, 2009
New papal physician explains doctors' role in sainthood process
"The recognition of a miracle is not a matter for medical science," said Dr. Patrizio Polisca, president of the group of physicians who serve as consultants to the Vatican Congregation for Saints' Causes.
June 15, 2009
Vatican doing great cutting fossil fuel use, says U.S. energy expert
Vatican engineers are doing an impressive job trying to cut Vatican City's dependency on fossil fuels by tapping into renewable energy resources and finding ways to cut energy consumption, said a visiting U.S. expert on energy efficiency.
June 15, 2009
Pope chooses cardiologist as new personal physician
Dr. Patrizio Polisca, a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at Rome's Tor Vergata University and president of the commission of physicians who serve as consultants to the Congregation for Saints' Causes, was named personal physician to the pope and vice director of the Vatican health service June 15.
June 15, 2009
Pope urges world leaders to tackle hunger at UN summit
Looking ahead to a U.N. financial summit in New York June 24-25, the pope said the meeting should be carried out "in a spirit of wisdom and solidarity, so that the current crisis can be transformed into an opportunity."
June 12, 2009
Jobs, small business credit key for economic recovery, says Vatican official
More decent, productive employment and more credit for small- and medium-sized businesses are the best strategies for recovering from the global economic crisis, said the chief Vatican representative to U.N. agencies in Geneva.
June 12, 2009
Year for Priests: Pies, prayers not enough; clergy need love, support
Each and every one of the world's 408,000 priests should feel loved, respected, valued and supported in his vocation to bring the Gospel to an increasingly secular -- but still open -- world, said the cardinal overseeing the Vatican's clergy congregation.
June 10, 2009
Vatican visit to CERN opens new channel of dialogue for science, faith
A recent visit by a Vatican delegation to CERN -- one of the world's largest centers for scientific research -- has opened an important channel of communication between science and faith.
June 9, 2009
Relics of St. John Bosco will travel to five continents
Celebrations for the bicentennial of the birth of St. John Bosco, the founder of the Salesian order and champion of underprivileged children, are underway with a five-continent "pilgrimage" of his relics.
June 8, 2009
Vatican paper highlights agreement with U.S. bishops on life issues
The Vatican newspaper has again emphasized that when it comes to the Obama administration and pro-life issues, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops are in full agreement and that no compromise is possible on the right to life.
June 5, 2009
Irish church leaders meet pope to discuss report on child abuse
Two top leaders of the Irish church met with Pope Benedict XVI June 5 to discuss a report by an independent commission on child abuse.
June 5, 2009
Reporting scandal: Media coverage of abuse helps victims, church
The embarrassment and scandal raised by each new report of a case of sex abuse in the church also has a positive effect of giving other victims the courage to come forward and increasing the church's commitment to ending abuse, experts meeting at the Vatican said.
June 3, 2009
Vatican media welcome Obama’s speech in Cairo as step toward peace
U.S. President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo, Egypt, was welcomed by Vatican media as a step toward peace and a new beginning in American relations with Muslims.
June 3, 2009
Franciscans re-elect minister general to a second six-year term
Spanish Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo was re-elected to head the Franciscan order during a general chapter in Assisi, Italy.
June 3, 2009
Set aside time for God, pope says at audience
Fun-filled vacations or hectic workweeks must never distract people from dedicating a little time each day and, especially every Sunday, to God, Pope Benedict XVI said.
June 2, 2009
Pope grants congregation power to more easily laicize some priests
Pope Benedict XVI has granted the Congregation for Clergy new powers to dismiss from the priesthood priests who are living with women, who have abandoned their ministry or who have engaged in seriously scandalous behavior.
June 2, 2009
Cardinal Stafford retires from post at Apostolic Penitentiary
Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of U.S. Cardinal J. Francis Stafford as head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican office that deals with the most sensitive matters of conscience as well as with the practice of indulgences.
June 1, 2009
Vatican announces papal trip to Czech Republic in September
Pope Benedict XVI will visit the Czech Republic in late September, participating in the nation's Sept. 28 observance of the feast of St. Wenceslaus, a 10th-century Czech prince and martyr.
June 1, 2009
Pope John Paul's beatification delayed, Italian newspapers say
The beatification of Pope John Paul II may be delayed as the Vatican seeks more documentation regarding his almost 27 years as pope, Italian newspapers reported.
June 1, 2009
Meeting children, pope shares early memories, says being pope is hard
Pope Benedict XVI offered a rare glimpse into his private feelings, telling a group of children that as a boy he never dreamed of becoming pope and that he still sometimes worries he is not up to the job.
June 1, 2009
People must fight spiritual pollution, pope says on Pentecost
Just as the human body is threatened by breathing polluted air, the human soul is threatened by images and ideas that glorify violence or the exploitation of others, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 29, 2009
Bin there, done that: Vatican making great strides in recycling
Surrounded by a city that just started a pilot recycling program in one small neighborhood, the Vatican's efforts to separate and recycle its garbage reportedly are making great strides.
May 29, 2009
Poverty, injustice, inequality threaten peace, pope tells ambassadors
Social injustices and economic inequalities, which have become even worse because of the global financial crisis, are serious threats to peace, Pope Benedict XVI told new ambassadors from eight countries.
May 29, 2009
Society benefits from tolerance, interreligious dialogue, pope says
In separate speeches May 29 to new ambassadors from India and from New Zealand,Pope Benedict XVI discussed religious freedom, dialogue and the role of religion in public life.
May 28, 2009
To teach, church must show it believes people can learn, pope says
The first step in promoting the holistic religious, moral and intellectual education of Catholics must be to demonstrate faith in people and in their ability to reason and to love, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 28, 2009
Year for Priests will show pride in, love for priests, cardinal says
The 2009-10 Year for Priests will demonstrate that the Catholic Church "is proud of her priests, loves them, honors them (and) admires them," said Cardinal Claudio Hummes, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.
May 22, 2009
Laypeople must share responsibility for church, pope tells delegates
Laypeople are not just collaborators with clergy, but share in the responsibility of building up the church, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 22, 2009
Pope says simplicity, sobriety, sacrifice aren't just for monks
The principles of poverty, chastity and sacrifice for the good of the community, which are characteristic of monastic life, are valid for all Christians, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 21, 2009
Pope prays for peace, honors fallen soldiers in visit to Monte Cassino
Pope Benedict XVI knows the full structural unity of Catholic communities in China will take time, but the spiritual reconciliation of Chinese Catholics "can and must take place now," said a new Vatican document.
May 21, 2009
New Vatican document again encourages Chinese Catholics to reconcile
Pope Benedict XVI knows the full structural unity of Catholic communities in China will take time, but the spiritual reconciliation of Chinese Catholics "can and must take place now," said a new Vatican document.
May 21, 2009
Banned arms' use caused high casualties in Sri Lanka, says aid worker
Sri Lankan government forces killed or injured 25,000-30,000 civilians in the span of just a few days during its final offensive against Tamil militants, said a humanitarian worker who just left the country.
May 21, 2009
Franciscan chapter meeting in Assisi to elect superior
To coincide with the 800th anniversary of their founding, representatives of the almost 15,000 Franciscans of the Order of Friars Minor will gather in Assisi to elect a superior and plan for their future.
May 21, 2009
Good reviews: Vatican newspaper sees Obama's start in positive light
In a season of tension between the U.S. Catholic hierarchy and President Barack Obama, the Vatican newspaper has offered some unexpectedly upbeat reviews of the president's first four months in office.
May 21, 2009
Vatican offers new look at King Henry VIII's marital breakdown
A meticulous restoration and reproduction of a precious document from the Vatican Secret Archives brings new attention to one of the most complicated annulments in history -- that of King Henry VIII and his queen, Catherine of Aragon.
May 21, 2009
Aid agency heads say economic crisis increases suffering of refugees
The global economic crisis is having a doubly negative effect on migrants and refugees: Low-wage jobs are disappearing and resentment of foreigners is growing, said the head of Caritas Internationalis.
May 20, 2009
In Internet age, church cannot avoid debate, Vatican spokesman says
Recent Vatican communications controversies have shown that in the Internet age the church cannot avoid debate and in fact must be prepared to explain its teachings more convincingly through new media, the Vatican's spokesman said.
May 20, 2009
God can bring peace to Middle East, pope says at audience
Pope Benedict XVI said his visit to the Holy Land was a pilgrimage of faith and of peace, and an occasion to bear witness to the fact that even in desperate situations of tension believers trust in the power of God.
May 19, 2009
Undefeated North American soccer squad heads to Clericus Cup finals
The Pontifical North American College's undefeated soccer squad is heading into the finals of the Clericus Cup tournament. A 4-3 shootout win May 16 over last year's champions, the Legionaries of Christ's Mater Ecclesiae, qualified the North American Martyrs for the May 23 championship.
May 18, 2009
Vatican launches iPhone, Facebook applications for communications day
The Vatican is launching iPhone and Facebook applications in an effort to help Catholics, especially younger generations, use new technologies to create a culture of dialogue, respect and friendship.
May 18, 2009
Vatican newspaper says Obama sought 'common ground' at Notre Dame
"The search for a common ground: This seems to be the path chosen by the president of the United States, Barack Obama, in facing the delicate question of abortion," the newspaper said.
May 18, 2009
Parish visits, prolonged prayer are part of bishop's duty, pope says
Meeting May 18 with bishops from Peru making their "ad limina" visits to report on the status of their dioceses, the pope urged them "to live courageously as disciples and missionaries of the Lord."
May 18, 2009
Pope pleads for protection, assistance for Sri Lankan refugees
As the government of Sri Lanka declared victory over Tamil separatists engaged in a 26-year battle for independence, Pope Benedict XVI appealed to both sides to protect civilians and asked the international community to provide aid to tens of thousands of refugees.
May 15, 2009
Pope asks Holy Land Christians to unite to preach hope, peace
Standing before Christ's empty tomb, Pope Benedict XVI urged Christians in the Holy Land to bury their differences so they could preach hope and peace with one voice.
May 15, 2009
Pope appeals for peace as he leaves Holy Land
Pope Benedict XVI closed his Holy Land pilgrimage by delivering a plea for peace and a message of Christian hope.
May 15, 2009
In Holy Land, pilgrim pope delivers religious, political challenges
Pope Benedict XVI's eight-day visit to the Holy Land was a biblical pilgrimage, an interfaith mission and a political balancing act all rolled into one.
May 14, 2009
Pope nears end of Holy Land trip with visit to Nazareth
Nearing the end of his Holy Land pilgrimage, Pope Benedict XVI came to Nazareth, the city where Jesus grew up, and appealed for the strengthening of family bonds in the region and the world.
May 14, 2009
Pope, Israeli prime minister discuss peace, dialogue, priests' visas
Peace in the Middle East, Catholic-Jewish relations and the difficulties of church workers in Israel were just a few of the topics discussed when Pope Benedict XVI met privately May 14 with newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
May 14, 2009
Pope meets religious leaders, highlights God's role in human history
Meeting with Catholic and other religious leaders in Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI returned to a running theme of his Holy Land pilgrimage: that God intervenes in human history, offering people a real reason for hope.
May 13, 2009
Scarves speak volumes in pope's Holy Land visit
The pope spoke carefully during his Holy Land pilgrimage in May -- so carefully that it occasionally seemed his talks were written by Vatican diplomats. But the image and the message people will carry from his visit may have more to do with scarves than speeches.
May 13, 2009
Alongside security wall, pope calls for courage to overcome barriers
"Towering over us, as we gather here this afternoon, is a stark reminder of the stalemate that relations between Israelis and Palestinians seem to have reached -- the wall," Pope Benedict told Palestinian officials and refugees.
May 13, 2009
Pope visits place of Jesus' birth, Bethlehem children's hospital
Pope Benedict XVI knelt in prayer at the spot where tradition holds Jesus was born, then went to a Catholic children's hospital, where he held an infant boy named Elias in his arms.
May 13, 2009
Pope affirms support for Palestinian state, celebrates Mass in Bethlehem
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the Palestinian territories May 13 and immediately declared the Vatican's support for an independent Palestine.
May 12, 2009
Pope asks Jerusalem's Christians to help make it a city of peace
Standing below the Mount of Olives, where Jesus wept for Jerusalem, and in the shadow of the walls of the city where he rose from the dead, Pope Benedict XVI urged the region's Christians to stay in the Holy Land and work for harmony among its people.
May 12, 2009
Pope encourages Holy Land's 'little flock' at site of Last Supper
Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the "little flock" of Christians in the Holy Land to persevere as a vital presence in society and a witness to unity in the troubled region.
May 12, 2009
In Jerusalem, pope walks into politics of interreligious dialogue
On his first day in Jerusalem, Pope Benedict XVI received a double lesson in the politics of interreligious dialogue.
May 12, 2009
At Western Wall, meeting with rabbis, pope prays for peace
Taking a piece of paper, firmly folding it in four and pushing it deep into a crevice of Jerusalem's Western Wall, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for peace in the Holy Land and respect among believers from every faith.
May 12, 2009
Pope visits Dome of the Rock, urges expansion of interfaith dialogue
In a visit to one of Islam's holiest places, Pope Benedict XVI said Christians, Muslims and Jews have a "grave responsibility" to expand dialogue and mend divisions.
May 11, 2009
Priest tells Vatican academy Obama's policies lead to totalitarianism
A Belgian priest told a Vatican academy that U.S. President Barack Obama's pro-abortion policies will lead the United States toward totalitarianism.
May 11, 2009
Papal dialogue meeting cut short after Muslim cleric criticizes Israel
The pope was able to read the entire text of the speech prepared for his meeting May 11 with organizations involved in interreligious dialogue, but several Jewish leaders walked out later when a Muslim cleric, who was not scheduled to speak, took the microphone.
May 11, 2009
Visiting Holocaust memorial, pope says hatred must never reign again
The pope called the Holocaust an atrocity that disgraced mankind, and said the church is committed to working tirelessly "to ensure that hatred will never reign in the hearts of men again."
May 11, 2009
Pope arrives in Israel, condemns anti-Semitism, prays for interreligious harmony
Reaching Israel, the country at the heart of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI condemned anti-Semitism and prayed for a new era in which all believers in the one God would live in peace and treat each other with respect and justice.
May 10, 2009
In Jordan, pope boosts Christian minority, builds bridges to Muslims
Walking a pilgrim's path in Jordan, Pope Benedict XVI energized its minority Christian population and built bridges to the moderate Muslim world.
May 10, 2009
Pope keeps Iraqis in thoughts, prayers during Jordan visit
As Pope Benedict XVI made his pilgrimage through Jordan, his thoughts were also on neighboring Iraq and its struggling Christian population.
May 10, 2009
At first Communion Mass, pope preaches courage in following Jesus
Pope Benedict XVI's only public Mass in Jordan was a liturgy like that found in many parishes in May: It was first Communion Sunday.
May 9, 2009
Pope encourages church in Jordan to make its voice heard
At his first liturgy in Jordan, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the country's Catholic minority to make its voice heard in public life and to join forces with Muslims when moral concerns cross religious boundaries.
May 9, 2009
British knights hope papal trip will contribute to peace in Holy Land
In the crowds that welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Jordan and followed him to Catholic schools and churches were several dozen people who have taken an oath to pray for and financially support the Catholic Church in the Holy Land.
May 9, 2009
Visiting mosque, pope says believing in God means respecting others
Acknowledging that much of the history of Christian-Muslim relations has been marked by misunderstanding and tension, the pope said it is faith that calls members of both communities to respect each other and join together to promote the common good.
May 9, 2009
Pope visits ancient biblical site, launches new university in Jordan
Pope Benedict XVI walked a pilgrim's path at one of the Holy Land's most ancient sites, then launched a project for the church's future in the region.
May 8, 2009
Pope opens Holy Land visit with call for tolerance, visit to disabled
The pope was making his first trip to an Arab country, the first leg of a journey that was later to take him to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
May 8, 2009
In Jordan, pope backs efforts for 'alliance of civilizations'
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Jordan on the first leg of a Holy Land pilgrimage and praised the country's efforts to oppose conflict and violence between the West and the Islamic world.
May 8, 2009
Visit to Israel: Leaders know, appreciate pope's teaching on Judaism
As Pope Benedict XVI prepared to visit Israel, Jewish leaders involved in dialogue appeared to be hopeful and not particularly wary about what the pope would say. On the other hand, many members of the Jewish community and Catholics sensitive to their feelings appeared to be holding their breath.
May 7, 2009
Economies based on greed must be replaced, says Honduran cardinal
The financial meltdown is a symptom of a deeply flawed economic system that should not be repaired but should be replaced by one that is based on justice and solidarity, said the president of Caritas Internationalis.
May 7, 2009
'Angels and Demons' is harmless entertainment, Vatican newspaper says
The newly premiered movie "Angels and Demons" is little more than "harmless entertainment," with many factual errors and little cultural value, according to the Vatican newspaper.
May 7, 2009
Pope thanks Swiss Guard for dedicated, loyal service
Pope Benedict said the Swiss Guard must keep watch over the Apostolic Palace and be vigilant and kind to all those who enter. But, most importantly, the Guard must "faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the supreme pontiff and sacrifice, if necessary, their life for him," he said.
May 6, 2009
Obama's approach to economic crisis is positive, says academy member
President Barack Obama's efforts to tackle the economic crisis drew praise from a Nobel Prize-winning member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
May 6, 2009
Pope, at audience, says he wants to promote peace, unity in Holy Land
Using the media present at his weekly general audience to address the people of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Pope Benedict XVI said that he hoped to promote peace and unity during his eight-day visit to the region.
May 4, 2009
It is a 'shameful tragedy' people go hungry in the world, pope says
One of the most urgent and critical social problems afflicting the world today is the "shameful tragedy that one-fifth of humanity still goes hungry," Pope Benedict XVI told members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences.
May 4, 2009
'Angels and Demons' fails to generate Vatican outrage
On the eve of its world premiere, "Angels and Demons" was a film in desperate search of controversy.
May 4, 2009
Financial crisis cannot lead to neglect of the poor, pope tells donors
With finances tight everywhere and a global financial crisis making life difficult even for those with money, people can be tempted to worry only about their own situation and that of their family, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 4, 2009
Pope ordains priests, warns of worldly spirit in the church
Pope Benedict XVI ordained 19 priests and urged them to make sure their ministry is not contaminated by a worldly mentality.
May 4, 2009
Pope asks for prayers for Holy Land trip, peace for region's people
Preparing to visit the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI asked for prayers for his trip, for peace in the region and for the suffering Palestinian people.
May 1, 2009
Pros and cons of genetic modification: Not your typical food fight
In an effort to find out whether genetically modified organisms harm human health or not, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences will be holding a study week in mid-May to hear what the scientific community has to say.
May 1, 2009
Music reflects grandeur of God, human adoration, pope says
After a concert in honor of his fourth anniversary as head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI said music can reflect the grandeur of God and can become a vehicle for adoration.
May 1, 2009
Pope's trip certain to advance Catholic-Jewish ties, rabbi says
A leading Jewish rabbi said Pope Benedict XVI's Holy Land visit was certain to consolidate the historic reconciliation process between Catholics and Jews.
April 29, 2009
Jesuit journal says secular media excessively criticize pope, church
Incessant and unwarranted criticism against Pope Benedict XVI is part of a larger anti-church campaign being waged by major newspapers and media outlets in the United States and Europe, said an Italian Jesuit magazine.
April 29, 2009
Pope's pilgrimage will take message of peace to land of conflict
In many ways, the May 8-15 visit to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories is the most challenging of the pope's foreign visits to date, one that will test his skills of communication and bridge-building in a region of conflict and mistrust.
April 29, 2009
Pope expresses sorrow for suffering of Canadian aboriginal students
In a step toward reconciling a long-standing historical injustice, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his sorrow for the suffering of Canadian aboriginal children over decades in church-run residential schools.
April 29, 2009
Vatican newspaper: No radical changes in Obama's first 100 days
The Vatican newspaper said President Barack Obama's first 100 days in office have not confirmed the Catholic Church's worst fears about radical policy changes in ethical areas.
April 29, 2009
People can learn to see God in world, in others, pope says at audience
People can get a glimpse of God in the world and in other people, but they must learn how to recognize it, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
April 28, 2009
Pope visits quake zone to strengthen survivors' faith, hope for future
In a visit aimed at strengthening people's faith and hope for the future, Pope Benedict XVI called for concrete and immediate measures to rebuild Italian towns and villages devastated by a deadly earthquake.
April 28, 2009
Vatican-Israeli commission reports progress on economic agreement
At the same time, sources ruled out the possibility that an agreement could be reached before Pope Benedict XVI makes his Holy Land pilgrimage in mid-May.
April 28, 2009
Church announces dates for 2010 exposition of Shroud of Turin
The Italian Archdiocese of Turin has announced that the Shroud of Turin, which many believe is the burial cloth of Christ, will be on public display April 10-May 23, 2010.
April 27, 2009
Caritas director seriously injured in Sri Lankan fighting
A local Caritas director was seriously injured in fighting in Sri Lanka's war-torn Vanni region, where tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced in recent days.
April 27, 2009
Pope meets Britain's Prince Charles, duchess of Cornwall
On a European tour to promote ecological initiatives, Britain's Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, met April 27 with Pope Benedict XVI.
April 27, 2009
Pope, Arab League head pledge cooperation for dialogue, justice, peace
Pope Benedict XVI and the secretary-general of the League of Arab States met April 24 at the Vatican, pledging to cooperate more closely to promote dialogue, justice and peace.
April 27, 2009
Pope creates five saints, says they hold lessons for economic crisis
Pope Benedict XVI canonized five new saints and said their dedication to the Eucharist, the poor and the world of work made them models for today's Christians in an era of economic crisis.
April 24, 2009
Jesuits say they won't pre-empt Vatican by publishing WWII documents
The Society of Jesus said it had not authorized the publication of documents from the private collection of the late U.S. Jesuit Father Robert Graham, an expert on the activities of the Vatican during World War II.
April 24, 2009
LCWR officers meet with Vatican officials, including Cardinal Levada
Four top officers of the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious met at the Vatican in late April with the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who had ordered a "doctrinal assessment" of the group's activities.
April 24, 2009
Bird's-eye view: Children's book portrays personal side of pope
Published with the Vatican's blessing, it's the latest effort to humanize a pope who may seem a remote figure to many people around the world -- and even to some inside the Vatican.
April 23, 2009
Pope says Scripture must be interpreted within church community
The interpretation of sacred Scripture cannot be subjective and must be interpreted within the church community, said Pope Benedict XVI.
April 23, 2009
Vatican, Arab League sign new agreement to promote peace, dialogue
The Vatican and the 22-member League of Arab States have signed an agreement to strengthen joint projects to promote peace and dialogue, especially on a political and cultural level.
April 23, 2009
UN conference was exploited for extremist remarks, says Vatican rep
An international conference dedicated to combating racism unfortunately was used as a platform for taking "extreme and offensive political positions the Holy See deplores and rejects," said the chief Vatican representative to U.N. agencies in Geneva.
April 22, 2009
Pope says greed -- the root of all evil -- triggered economic crisis
The pope's catechesis at his April 22 general audience dealt with early Christian writers of the East and West, and his talk focused on a little-known, eighth-century Benedictine monk, Abbot Ambrose Autpert.
April 20, 2009
Vatican officials object to Iranian president's remarks on Israel
Although members of a Vatican delegation objected to the Iranian president's remarks about Israel at a U.N. conference on racism, delegation members did not think walking out was the right response, said a Vatican official.
April 20, 2009
Bulldozers at work in Nazareth; carpenters coming to papal Mass site
With just over three weeks to go before Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to celebrate Mass in a new municipal amphitheater in Nazareth, bulldozers were working around the clock.
April 20, 2009
Franciscans reflect on relevance of charism 800 years after founding
Some 1,800 Friars Minor, Conventual Franciscans, Capuchins and Third Order Regular Franciscans attended an April 15-18 gathering celebrating the 800th anniversary of papal approval of the Franciscan rule. It was the first time that many representatives of the four main Franciscan branches had come together in Assisi.
April 20, 2009
Pope names Polish bishop as new head of Vatican's health care council
The new head of the council, Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, worked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1983 to 2002 when it was headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict. When Archbishop Zimowski was named a bishop in 2002, it was Cardinal Ratzinger who ordained him.
April 20, 2009
Pope says racism conference, boycotted by US, is important
Pope Benedict XVI underlined the importance of a U.N.-sponsored international conference on racism and urged participants to take concrete steps to combat discrimination and intolerance around the world.
April 17, 2009
Vatican deplores Belgian parliament's criticism of pope on condoms
In an April 17 statement, the Vatican's Secretariat of State said it "deplores the fact that a parliamentary assembly should have thought it appropriate to criticize the Holy Father on the basis of an isolated extract from an interview, separated from its context and used by some groups with a clear intent to
April 17, 2009
For pope, St. Francis offers conversion lesson for modern times
The pope has found in St. Francis something that goes beyond the saint's popular image as the patron of peace, the environment and animals. For him, St. Francis offers a model of radical conversion to Christ.
April 16, 2009
Pope celebrates low-key birthday with brother at papal villa
The pope, who turned 82 April 16, had a very informal "family celebration" that included a visit by a small group of top Vatican officials, the Vatican's spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, told reporters.
April 15, 2009
Decision to abolish death penalty marked at Rome's Colosseum
For making what he described as "the most difficult decision in my political life," Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico was given a front-row seat at a papal audience and was to see Rome's Colosseum lit up in honor of his state.
April 15, 2009
Pope gets early birthday celebration with song at general audience
Before the pope gave a summary of his catechesis in English, audience members broke into a spontaneous rendition of "Happy Birthday, dear Benedict" followed by an encore with musical accompaniment by a Bavarian band present in the square.
April 13, 2009
Naples cardinal launches microcredit institution to help the poor
Saying he wanted to give Easter hope to those "crucified on the cross of selfishness," Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples announced he was setting up a microcredit lending institution and donating a year's stipend and part of his savings to start it.
April 13, 2009
Humanity must use weapons of truth, mercy to end conflict, says pope
Christ's resurrection is not a myth or fairy tale; it is the one and only event that has destroyed the root of evil and can fill the emptiness in people's hearts, Pope Benedict XVI said in his Easter message.
April 10, 2009
Tragedies can be overcome with solidarity, says pope for funeral Mass
Working together in solidarity for those in need is the only way to overcome the devastation caused by the earthquake and string of aftershocks which recently struck central Italy, said Pope Benedict XVI.
April 10, 2009
Eastern meditation: Pope's Way of the Cross adopts an Asian viewpoint
This year's meditation for Pope Benedict XVI's Good Friday Way of the Cross has a distinctly Asian perspective, referring to Hindu scriptures, an Indian poet and Mahatma Gandhi.
April 8, 2009
Vatican dismisses report that it rejected US ambassador picks
In a sign of solidarity with those struck by a devastating earthquake and a series of tremors and aftershocks, Pope Benedict XVI donated a portion of the sacred oils he blessed to the Italian Archdiocese of L'Aquila.
April 8, 2009
At chrism Mass, Pope sends sacred oils to quake-stricken archdiocese
In a sign of solidarity with those struck by a devastating earthquake and a series of tremors and aftershocks, Pope Benedict XVI donated a portion of the sacred oils he blessed to the Italian Archdiocese of L'Aquila.
April 8, 2009
Holy Week offers occasion to understand gift of salvation, says pope
The rituals of Holy Week and Easter offer Catholics an opportunity to understand the "priceless gift of salvation obtained by Christ's sacrifice" on the cross, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
April 8, 2009
Pope says he wants to visit Italian earthquake victims
Encouraging solidarity with the victims of the earthquake that struck central Italy April 6, Pope Benedict XVI also promised to visit the survivors.
April 7, 2009
Franciscans ready to celebrate 800th anniversary of order's founding
For the first time, representatives from the four main Franciscan branches were to meet in Assisi -- the birthplace of their founder, St. Francis -- to take part in an International Chapter of Mats April 15-18.
April 6, 2009
Pope calls for end to production, use of land mines, cluster bombs
Thirty-nine countries, including the United States, China, Russia, most countries in the Middle East and many countries in Asia, have not ratified the anti-personnel mine ban treaty, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.
April 6, 2009
Pope mourns migrants who drowned trying to reach Europe
Too many people fleeing extreme poverty and war die crossing the Mediterranean from Africa in search of a better life in Europe, Pope Benedict XVI said.
April 6, 2009
Knights Templar may have secretly held shroud, Vatican expert says
A Vatican researcher has found evidence that the Knights Templar, the medieval crusading order, held secret custody of the Shroud of Turin during the 13th and 14th centuries.
April 6, 2009
Self-sacrifice is the key to Christian life, pope says on Palm Sunday
The papal liturgy began with a procession of hundreds of cardinals, bishops, priests and lay people, who carried palms and olive branches in commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem a few days before his passion and death.
April 6, 2009
Pope offers condolences to victims of Italian earthquake
Just hours after an earthquake hit the city and province of L'Aquila in central Italy, causing dozens of deaths and major damage to churches and other buildings, Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for the dead, their loved ones and rescue workers.
April 3, 2009
Vatican commends Buddhist community's witness to a spirit of poverty
In a world of unbridled consumerism and materialism, Christians can find inspiration in the Buddhist witness of happiness in nonattachment to material goods, said the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.
April 3, 2009
Belgian protest of pope's remarks on condoms 'evokes bewilderment'
The Belgian parliament's decision to lodge a formal protest against the Vatican for Pope Benedict XVI's comments concerning the use of condoms in AIDS prevention "evokes bewilderment," the Vatican spokesman said.
April 3, 2009
Pope advances sainthood causes of 11, including Italian nun
Pope Benedict XVI authorized the publication of a decree recognizing a miracle attributed to the intercession of an Italian nun and of decrees recognizing that 10 other candidates for sainthood heroically lived the Christian virtues.
April 3, 2009
For Pope John Paul II, beatification process may be on final lap
The fourth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II April 2 was marked by a sense of anticipation following reports that the late pontiff would be beatified on the fifth anniversary next year.
April 3, 2009
Torch of faith, hope was Pope John Paul's legacy, pope says
Celebrating Mass with young people April 2, the fourth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul, Pope Benedict said his predecessor "was able to communicate a strong feeling of hope founded on faith in Jesus Christ."
April 2, 2009
Vatican says arrest of Chinese bishop is obstacle to dialogue
The arrest of 74-year-old Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding was "unfortunately not an isolated case: Other clergy are also deprived of their freedom or are subjected to undue pressure and restrictions in their pastoral activity," said the Vatican in a statement released April 2.
April 2, 2009
Pope mourns passing of Cardinal Betti, dead at 87
Pope Benedict XVI remembered the late Cardinal Umberto Betti as a Franciscan who served the church with zeal, particularly as a theological expert at the Second Vatican Council and later as a consultant to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
April 1, 2009
In midst of conflict, church can bring peace, pope says at audience
The pope used his April 1 general audience in St. Peter's Square to review his March 17-23 visit to Cameroon and Angola.
April 1, 2009
Hundreds of migrants drown trying to reach Europe
The drowning death of hundreds of people trying to immigrate to Europe through Libya in late March is a sign of the desperation of the poor and persecuted, and of the failure of government efforts to stop illegal immigration, several Catholic agencies said.
March 31, 2009
Pope urges world leaders to stabilize markets without excluding poor
In a March 30 letter, Pope Benedict emphasized that participants in the Group of 20 leaders' summit in London April 2-3 must find a way out of the global economic crisis but must avoid selfish or protectionist solutions.
March 31, 2009
Answering God's call to religious life is based on trust, says pope
Embracing a religious vocation is not about feeling worthy or strong enough to be one of God's privileged ministers and witnesses, said Pope Benedict XVI. It is about trusting God so much that one can answer God's divine call without hesitation.
March 31, 2009
Pope calls for release of Red Cross workers kidnapped in Philippines
Pope Benedict XVI appealed to guerrillas in the Philippines to release the three Red Cross workers they kidnapped in January and asked the Philippine government to work for a peaceful resolution of the case.
March 31, 2009
Head of Holy Cross order asks Obama to rethink position on abortion
U.S. Father Hugh W. Cleary, Holy Cross superior general in Rome, said that when Obama receives an honorary degree from the University of Notre Dame and delivers the commencement address in May, he should take to heart the objections of Catholics who have been scandalized by the invitation.
March 31, 2009
Vatican orders apostolic visitation of Legionaries of Christ
The Vatican has ordered an apostolic visitation of the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ following disclosures of sexual impropriety by the order's late founder, Father Marcial Maciel Degollado.
March 30, 2009
Pope says pastors can't be soloists, need parishioners' advice
In a world that does not seem interested in hearing about God, effective communication of the faith requires a group effort, Pope Benedict XVI said.
March 30, 2009
Pope designates Holy Thursday collection for Catholics in Gaza Strip
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has decided the collection taken up at his Holy Thursday evening Mass will be used to help support the Catholic community in the Gaza Strip.
March 30, 2009
Vatican newspaper says WHO study supports pope's condoms comments
The newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, ran a front-page commentary that defended the pope against the storm of criticism that followed his remarks in mid-March as he prepared to visit Africa. .
March 27, 2009
Lancet criticizes pope's remarks that condoms increase spread of HIV
While a top medical journal criticized Pope Benedict XVI's remarks that condoms increase the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, a Harvard-based researcher said the pope's comments are supported by scientific evidence.
March 27, 2009
Papal preacher says Spirit speaks to individuals as well as to church
When people forget that the Holy Spirit speaks directly to individual consciences and not only through the church, there is a risk that laypeople would be pushed to the margins of the church's life, the papal preacher told Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials.
March 27, 2009
Peace tools: Caritas provides nuts and bolts of conflict resolution
The object of this arm-wrestling game is to get as many points as possible by pushing your partner's fist down on the table -- but it doesn't matter how many points your partner gets. The game, called Popeye, is one of scores of activities that make up a new Web tool kit created by Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based umbrella organization for 162 national Catholic charities around the world.
March 26, 2009
Vatican releases details of papal trip to Holy Land
On his first trip to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI will meet with Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders, stop at the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and visit a refugee camp in Bethlehem, West Bank, the Vatican said.
March 26, 2009
Vatican still working out clear policy on reciprocity, cardinal says
While the Catholic Church recognizes the religious freedom of all believers and insists that Catholics be able to worship wherever they live, the Vatican does not have clear guidelines for applying the principle of reciprocity to relations with other religions, said the cardinal in charge of interreligious dialogue.
March 25, 2009
Cardinal encourages generosity in Good Friday collection for Holy Land
Cardinal Luigi Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, appealed to bishops around the world to encourage parishes in their dioceses to support the annual Collection for the Holy Land, which traditionally is taken up during Good Friday services.
March 25, 2009
Do not mock the pope, Italian cardinal and India's bishops say
Mockery is not acceptable in public discussions, especially when the subject is the pope, said the president of the Italian Catholic bishops' conference. India's bishops also defended Pope Benedict XVI's leadership.
March 23, 2009
In Africa, pope challenges attitudes, cultural trends
Very little of what the pope had to say during his March 17-23 African journey was easy or accommodating. He preached the Gospel in a way that took issue with common practices and prevailing attitudes.
March 23, 2009
Pope tells reporters he felt sense of God's family in Africa
Pope Benedict XVI said he felt a great sense of family and respect for the sacred during his weeklong trip to Africa.
March 23, 2009
Women play crucial role in promoting human rights, pope says
The pope sent a written message to participants in the Vatican's first international conference dedicated to women and human rights.
March 23, 2009
Turtle given by Pygmies to pope will stay in Africa
Although Vatican officials initially spoke about finding a home for the turtle in the Vatican Gardens, in the end they asked staff members of the Vatican Embassy in Angola to find it a proper home, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
March 23, 2009
Pope leaves Angola with appeal for international solidarity
Pope Benedict XVI bid farewell to Angola and to Africa, asking the continent's people to care for one another and telling the international community it has an obligation to share the world's resources in an equitable way.
March 23, 2009
Pope pleads for women's equality in Africa, praises 'silent heroines'
African women in particular are working under adverse conditions that are often caused by the "behavior and attitudes of men," the pope said in Angola March 22.
March 23, 2009
Pope pleads for women's equality in Africa, praises 'silent heroines'
African women in particular are working under adverse conditions that are often caused by the "behavior and attitudes of men," the pope said in Angola March 22.
March 22, 2009
Pope asks church in Africa to resist 'clouds of evil' on continent
At a Mass for hundreds of thousands of Angolans, Pope Benedict XVI called on Africa to embrace the Gospel and disperse the "clouds of evil" that have brought war, ethnic rivalry, tribalism and greed to the continent.
March 22, 2009
Pope asks Angolan youths to shape the future according to the Gospel
Meeting with nearly 30,000 Angolan young people, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to be wary of today's dominant social culture and to shape the world according to the values of the Gospel.
March 22, 2009
Pope tells Africans faith can liberate them from superstition, fear
The pope's words hit a nerve in Africa, where belief in witchcraft and sorcery has led to killings and discrimination, especially against children.
March 20, 2009
Pope appeals for African families, condemns promotion of abortion
Addressing Angolan political leaders and an international group of diplomats, Pope Benedict XVI appealed on behalf of African families struggling from the effects of poverty, disease and war.
March 20, 2009
Papal social encyclical should be published in May, says cardinal
Pope Benedict XVI's first social encyclical is already completed and should be ready for release in early May, said a top Vatican official.
March 20, 2009
Papal prayer space: Restored Pauline Chapel ready for inauguration
After more than four years in office, Pope Benedict XVI finally will be able to preside over his first event in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace.
March 20, 2009
Cameroonian Pygmies give pope send-off, gift of a turtle
A group of Pygmies showed up to give Pope Benedict XVI an unscheduled send-off from Cameroon, and presented him with a live turtle to take back with him to the Vatican.
March 20, 2009
In Angola, pope encourages postwar spiritual and material recovery
Arriving in Angola on the second stage of his African pilgrimage, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged the country to continue on the path of reconciliation after a devastating civil war.
March 19, 2009
Marriage, religious vows don't limit freedom, papal preacher says
The unbreakable bonds of marriage and the permanence of religious vows do not place artificial constraints on the freedom to love; rather they free a person to love forever, in good times and bad, said the preacher of the papal household.
March 19, 2009
Pope outlines his view of African synod's main themes
Pope Benedict XVI offered a sneak preview of the Synod of Bishops for Africa, identifying several issues he believes will be crucial. Above all, he said, the church in Africa is called to be a healing community on a continent torn by "savage conflicts" and other tragedies.
March 19, 2009
In Cameroon, pope encourages sick with a touch, a smile and blessings
Pope Benedict XVI underlined one of his favorite themes -- faith as charity in action -- on a visit to a center for the disabled in Yaounde.
March 19, 2009
Positive changes seen in Africa since 1994 synod
Since the last Synod of Bishops for Africa 15 years ago, the continent has undergone significant change and made considerable progress, according to a Vatican document.
March 19, 2009
Synod working document seeks ways to promote justice, peace in Africa
The working document for this fall's Synod of Bishops for Africa called for a united effort among Catholics to help end the rampant injustices fueling conflicts on the continent and to usher in an era of peace.
March 19, 2009
European leaders criticize pope's reported remarks about condoms
Government officials in Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium publicly criticized Pope Benedict XVI after newspapers reported that he said the use of condoms could increase the spread of AIDS.
March 19, 2009
In Africa, pope warns of erosion of values, 'tyranny of materialism'
The Mass marked the publication of the working document for October's Synod of Bishops for Africa, and at the end of the liturgy the pope personally handed copies of the text to bishops from all over the continent.
March 19, 2009
Pope encourages Christian-Muslim efforts to defend African values
Meeting with Muslims from Cameroon, Pope Benedict XVI said Christians and Muslims need to cooperate in Africa to defend traditional values and reject all forms of violence.
March 18, 2009
War on drugs must focus on saving lives, Vatican official says
The health, dignity and lives of people suffering drug addiction must be the centerpiece of the global war on drugs, a Vatican official told a meeting sponsored by the United Nations.
March 18, 2009
Pope asks Cameroon's pastoral workers to live in spirit of service
Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute to Cameroon's small army of pastoral workers and asked them to "reveal the loving face of God to the poor" through their efforts.
March 18, 2009
Israeli Foreign Ministry says pope can wear cross at Western Wall
Israel will respect the religious symbols of Pope Benedict XVI when he visits the Western Wall "in accordance with rules of hospitality and dignity," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.
March 18, 2009
Archbishop: Vatican to try to influence UN meeting on fighting racism
The only way to influence the results of the upcoming U.N. conference on fighting racism and discrimination is to be present and participate in the negotiations, said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, who will lead the Vatican delegation.
March 18, 2009
In Cameroon, pope asks bishops to lead new evangelization efforts
Pope Benedict XVI, on his first full day in Africa, encouraged Cameroon's bishops to be strong preachers of the Gospel and vigilant shepherds on matters of priestly formation and behavior, liturgical dignity and Christian marriage.
March 17, 2009
Pope's condom comments latest chapter in sensitive church discussion
Pope Benedict XVI's declaration that distribution of condoms only increases the problem of AIDS is the latest and one of the strongest statements in a simmering debate inside the church.
March 17, 2009
In Africa, pope says Gospel is answer to continent's problems
Arriving in Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said the church's message of hope and reconciliation was sorely needed by a continent suffering disproportionately from poverty, conflict and disease.
March 17, 2009
Book focuses on Pope John Paul II as communicator
Pope John Paul II's ability to communicate was not primarily a result of his experience as an amateur actor, but was an expression of his theology, said the authors of a new book.
March 17, 2009
Pope, on plane, says church can help Africa address its problems
Making his first trip to Africa, Pope Benedict XVI said the Catholic Church can help bring answers to the continent's chronic problems, including poverty, AIDS and tribalism
March 16, 2009
Pope declares year of the priest to inspire spiritual perfection
The pope will open the special year with a vespers service at the Vatican June 19 -- the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests.
March 16, 2009
Vatican official: Brazilian girl, doctors needed mercy after abortion
A 9-year-old Brazilian girl and the doctors who performed the girl's abortion needed the Catholic Church's care and concern, not its condemnation, said a leading Vatican official.
March 16, 2009
Better awareness of all vocations will lead to more priests, pope says
The key to increasing the number of candidates for the priesthood is helping all Catholics -- including married couples and youths -- understand that God is calling them to serve him and the church in a special way, Pope Benedict XVI said.
March 16, 2009
Growing guilt means people are ready for confession, pope says
While more and more people seem to have trouble seeing some of their actions as sins, the fact that so many people feel guilty means they are open to hearing about the need for confession, Pope Benedict XVI said.
March 16, 2009
Vatican Web site to include Chinese translations of papal texts
Chinese was to be the eighth language present on the Vatican's main Web site, www.vatican.va, which also contains texts in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese and Latin.
March 16, 2009
Pope says trip to Africa will focus on continent's hopes, challenges
The pope, speaking two days before his departure for Cameroon and Angola, said he was not bringing a political or social program to Africa, but simply the Gospel message of love that is "capable of transforming the world."
March 13, 2009
Papal preacher says intelligent design is truth of faith, not science
Affirming the reality of an intelligent design for the creation and development of the universe is not a scientific theory, but a statement of faith, said the preacher of the papal household.
March 13, 2009
Adoration is key attitude toward Eucharist, even at Mass, pope says
Because Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, adoration must be a Catholic's primary attitude toward the Blessed Sacrament at Mass as well as when praying before the tabernacle, Pope Benedict XVI said.
March 13, 2009
Splendidly pure: Receiving indulgences in the year of St. Paul
As spring started showing its colors in Rome, many of the pilgrims coming out of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls were glowing -- and not only because the sun was shining brightly.
March 12, 2009
Pope tells Israeli rabbis he hopes trip will promote dialogue, peace
The meeting with the pope was part of the annual dialogue sponsored by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews.
March 12, 2009
Papal letter: Pointed, personal and from the heart
In one fell swoop, Pope Benedict XVI has taken charge of the much-criticized realm of "Vatican communications" following his lifting of the excommunication of four traditionalist bishops, including one who denied the extent of the Holocaust.
March 11, 2009
In letter, pope responds to criticisms over Lefebvrite decision
In a letter to the world's bishops, Pope Benedict XVI expressed regret that his lifting of the excommunications of four traditionalist bishops gave rise to a storm of protests and bitterness.
March 11, 2009
Christianity promotes human progress, pope says
Because Christianity promotes a culture of values, it aids in human development and progress, Pope Benedict XVI said during his weekly general audience.
March 11, 2009
Pope condemns murder of soldiers, policeman in Northern Ireland
Pope Benedict XVI said the recent murders in Northern Ireland were not only an affront to the sacredness of human life, but risked derailing the peace process and dashing people's hopes for reconciliation.
March 9, 2009
Abortion results in excommunication for mother, doctors in Brazil
A top Vatican official agreed with a Brazilian archbishop's decision to excommunicate the mother of a nine-year-old girl who had been raped by her stepfather and the doctors who aborted the girl's twins.
March 9, 2009
Vatican considering document on communications in age of 'new media'
Bishops from 82 countries began a five-day meeting in Rome March 9 to discuss modern media and the new culture of communications that has arisen in recent years.
March 9, 2009
Pope says Holy Land trip will be mission of peace
Pope Benedict XVI said he would visit the Holy Land in May to "ask the Lord ... for the precious gift of unity and peace for the Middle East and all humanity."
March 9, 2009
Pope encourages Catholics to make time for silent prayer in Lent
The day after ending his Lenten retreat -- spent mostly in silence -- Pope Benedict XVI encouraged all Catholics to make time in Lent for silent reflection on the Scriptures.
March 6, 2009
Evolution is not to blame for atheism, says U.S. professor
Scientism, or the use of science beyond its proper sphere of investigating physical nature, is what has reduced the place of the divine in the world, said Robert J. Russell, founder and director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences in Berkeley, Calif.
March 6, 2009
Former Episcopal bishop discusses his new life as Catholic priest
If using dolls to practice the baptismal ritual is a humbling experience for seminarians, one can imagine what it was like for someone who already had baptized hundreds of babies.
March 6, 2009
Focusing on Africa: Papal trip to highlight challenges, possibilities
Pope Benedict XVI opens a new chapter in his papal travels when he visits Cameroon and Angola in mid-March, a trip designed to highlight the church's message of hope on a continent beset by problems.
March 5, 2009
Document confirms Pope Pius XII's efforts to save Jews, expert says
A document found in a Rome convent confirms that Pope Pius XII quietly ordered church institutions to open their doors to Jews fleeing Nazi arrest and deportation, a church expert said.
March 4, 2009
Organisms' common ancestry aids medical research, says biologist
Charles Darwin's theory that all living organisms have descended from one common biological species is a scientific fact that has tremendously aided medical research, said an evolutionary biologist attending a Vatican-sponsored conference.
March 4, 2009
Pope asks young people to be witnesses of hope
Even as the global economic crisis makes it more difficult to find a job and start a family, young Catholics are called to hold firmly to their faith in Jesus and be witnesses of hope to their peers, Pope Benedict XVI said.
March 3, 2009
Rabbi says trip to Israel can help pope show his respect for Judaism
The U.S.-born chief rabbi of Poland said Pope Benedict XVI's May trip to Israel can be "very enlightening" and help the pontiff "show in a very clear way" the sensitivity and respect that has been clear in his writings for decades.
March 2, 2009
Pope accepts withdrawal of Austrian bishop nominee
Pope Benedict XVI has approved the withdrawal of an Austrian bishop nominee after widespread criticism of his selection.
March 2, 2009
Pope hopes return of Russian Orthodox church in Italy helps ecumenism
At a ceremony March 1, the little Church of St. Nicholas in Bari, Italy, was formally handed over to the Russian Orthodox.
March 2, 2009
Traditionalist order not ready to accept Vatican II, superior says
The head of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X said his order is not ready to accept the Second Vatican Council, which the Vatican has set as a condition for full reintegration in the church.
Feb. 27, 2009
Catholic-Muslim dialogue members urge improved teaching for peace
Textbooks used in Catholic and Muslim schools should be reviewed and revised to ensure a respectful, accurate portrayal of the history and beliefs of the other community, said members of a Catholic-Muslim dialogue.
Feb. 27, 2009
African bishops hope papal visit encourages peace, justice in Africa
Three bishops from Nigeria said they are looking at Pope Benedict's March 17-23 visit to Cameroon and Angola as an opportunity to show that the church wants to help heal divisions that continue to tear apart the continent.
Feb. 27, 2009
Church leaders explore ways to slow Christian exodus from Middle East
The need to find ways to stop the slow, yet steady departure of Christians from the Middle East has come into greater focus recently.
Feb. 26, 2009
Global financial crisis contributes to delay of encyclical, pope says
The global economic crisis has contributed to the delay in the publication of Pope Benedict XVI's new social encyclical, not for financial reasons, but because the crisis has demonstrated how important and how complicated the topic is.
Feb. 26, 2009
Theologian's criticism of pope draws Vatican response
The dissident theologian Father Hans Kung has criticized Pope Benedict XVI as isolated and unable to take creative steps to deal with a series of internal church questions, including priestly celibacy and birth control.
Feb. 26, 2009
Pope names Salt and Light director to communications council
Pope Benedict XVI had named Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, executive director of Canada's Salt and Light Television, as a consultant to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
Feb. 25, 2009
God will forgive, bless those who seek conversion, pope says
If people act on God's call to conversion, he will forgive them everything and bless them, Pope Benedict XVI said just before receiving ashes and distributing ashes to mark the beginning of Lent.
Feb. 25, 2009
Financial crisis may take heavy toll on children, Vatican official says
The global financial crisis is likely to dramatically impact the world's poor in coming months, depriving children of essential services in education and health care, a Vatican official said.
Feb. 24, 2009
Media, politics could distort papal trip to Holy Land, says legislator
Because the pope's proposed May 8-15 trip comes so soon after the Gaza war and a right-of-center victory in the Israeli parliament, Bernard Sabella, a Catholic member of the Palestinian parliament, said, "I'm afraid his visit can be constructed as one-sided."
Feb. 23, 2009
Pope cautions against destructive polemics in the church
Following weeks of controversy involving two of his decisions, Pope Benedict XVI twice in recent days cautioned against destructive polemics inside the church.
Feb. 23, 2009
October date set for canonization of Blessed Damien
Blessed Damien de Veuster, a missionary priest who served patients with Hansen's disease in Hawaii, will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI Oct. 11 at the Vatican, the Vatican said.
Feb. 23, 2009
Pope warns of new forms of genetic discrimination
Pope Benedict XVI praised modern discoveries in the field of genetics, but warned of new and subtle efforts to discriminate against people with genetic defects or illnesses.
Feb. 23, 2009
Pope says role of pope is one of authority, service
Pope Benedict XVI said the papacy is a role of authority and service in the church, and he asked for the prayers of Catholics so that he can accomplish the tasks entrusted to him.
Feb. 20, 2009
Catholic Church activity in Vietnam is not political, says Vatican
Msgr. Pietro Parolin, Vatican undersecretary of state, led a delegation to Vietnam Feb. 16-17 for meetings with officials of the central government to discuss the possibility of establishing full diplomatic relations.
Feb. 20, 2009
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