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Feb. 8, 2010
English seminary in Rome exhibits history of martyrs, persecution
When Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Great Britain later this year, he will be greeted by lords and ladies and dignitaries of all kind, including Queen Elizabeth II and the British prime minister.
Feb. 8, 2010
Cardinal asks dialogue partners if an ecumenical catechism might work
A Vatican official has floated the idea of a shared "ecumenical catechism" as one of the potential fruits of 40 years of dialogue among Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and members of the Reformed churches.
Feb. 5, 2010
Catholic teaching is not a list of 'no's,' pope tells Scottish bishops
The Catholic Church has a positive vision of human life, marriage and family which must not be presented as a list of things the church opposes, Pope Benedict XVI told the bishops of Scotland.
Feb. 5, 2010
Shroud of Turin: Image provokes prayer, curiosity, scholarly disputes
The Shroud of Turin, which many Christians believe to be the burial cloth of Jesus, goes on public display this spring, at a time when experts are debating new claims about the 14-foot-long piece of linen.
Feb. 4, 2010
Vatican official says religious orders are in modern 'crisis'
A top Vatican official said religious orders today are in a "crisis" caused in part by the adoption of a secularist mentality and the abandonment of traditional practices.
Feb. 4, 2010
Conversion breaks bonds of selfishness, pope says in Lenten message
Conversion to Christ gives people the strength to break the bonds of selfishness and work for justice in the world, Pope Benedict XVI said in his message for Lent 2010.
Feb. 3, 2010
Haiti must build a new society based on justice, says Haitian bishop
The tragic destruction of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas is an opportunity for Haiti and the world to rebuild a nation free from poverty and prejudice and based on justice and compassion, said the president of Caritas Haiti.
Feb. 3, 2010
Priests must live what they preach, avoid careerism, pope says
In the church, just as in society, he said, the good of the community is harmed by leaders who work primarily for their own interests.
Feb. 2, 2010
Pope honors religious; Vatican preparing documents on prayer, brothers
Catholics enter religious orders or consecrate themselves as virgins because the love of God is so great that it is worth giving everything for, Pope Benedict XVI said on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
Feb. 2, 2010
Pius XII feared outcry against atrocities would worsen situation
Pope Pius XII wanted to speak out against Nazi atrocities, but was advised not to for fear of worsening the wartime situation, said the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.
Feb. 1, 2010
Church has right to bring Gospel values to public debate, pope says
Catholic teaching and the truths of the Gospel have a right to be heard in public debate, especially in a country where so many people claim to be Christian, Pope Benedict XVI told the bishops of England and Wales.
Jan. 29, 2010
Language lessons: New media test Vatican's digital fluency
The Vatican Web site remains largely a repository of printed texts, displayed on pages designed to look like parchment. And despite more than a decade of discussion about making the site interactive, www.vatican.va continues to provide information in one direction only: from them to you.
Jan. 29, 2010
Desire for sacraments not sufficient reason for annulment, pope says
"One must shun pseudo-pastoral claims" that look only at the desire of divorced Catholics to return to the sacraments, the pope said Jan. 29 in his annual speech to officials of the Roman Rota, a tribunal that mainly deals with appeals filed in marriage annulment cases.
Jan. 28, 2010
Villanova wraps up filming for virtual tour of St. Peter's Basilica
In the enormous interior of Christianity's largest church, a tiny black camera perched on a tall tripod was quietly whirring, mapping bit by bit almost every detail inside St. Peter's Basilica.
Jan. 27, 2010
Remembering Holocaust, pope prays for respect for all people
Marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Pope Benedict XVI prayed that honoring the memory of the 6 million Jews who died in the Nazi death camps would lead everyone to greater respect for each human being.
Jan. 27, 2010
St. Francis is model of dialogue, respect for creation, pope says
Calling St. Francis of Assisi "an authentic giant of holiness," Pope Benedict XVI said the 13th-century saint continues to be a model for living simply, respecting God's creation and entering into dialogue with people of other religions.
Jan. 26, 2010
Pope John Paul practiced self-mortification, postulator confirms
Pope John Paul II always took penitence seriously, spending entire nights lying with his arms outstretched on the bare floor, fasting before ordaining priests or bishops and flagellating himself, said the promoter of his sainthood cause.
Jan. 26, 2010
Leaked dialogue text looks at East-West differences over role of pope
The text noted that in the first 1,000 years of Christianity, although believers in the East and West had different understandings of the role of the bishop of Rome, that diversity did not destroy the unity of the church.
Jan. 25, 2010
Christians must unite in bringing Gospel values to world, pope says
Divided Christians can and must be united in meeting the modern challenges of secularization, threats to human life, environmental destruction, war and injustice, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Jan. 23, 2010
Pope asks priests to get online, spread the Gospel
In a message embracing the evangelizing potential of digital media, Pope Benedict XVI asked priests around the world to use Web sites, videos and blogs as tools of pastoral ministry.
Jan. 22, 2010
Stay or go: Christians in Mideast battle tough choices amid violence
A recent preparatory document for an October Synod of Bishops for the Middle East made a forceful appeal to the Christian minority there to resist emigration and to openly give witness to the Gospel values of hope, joy, justice and forgiveness in their native communities. But like most commandments -- that's easier said than done.
Jan. 21, 2010
Pope names woman undersecretary of justice and peace council
Pope Benedict XVI has named a laywoman undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, marking the first time in more than 20 years that a woman has served as undersecretary of a pontifical council.
Jan. 20, 2010
At Vatican, U.S. military chaplains study post-traumatic syndrome
Like chaplains in the U.S. military around the world, a group of Catholic chaplains meeting at the Vatican spent a full day studying how to provide pastoral and spiritual care to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Jan. 20, 2010
Pope convenes Irish bishops for talks on priestly sex abuse
The meeting will take place Feb. 15-16, and was expected to include the heads of major Vatican agencies.
Jan. 20, 2010
Christians must pray for unity as they tackle new problems, pope says
During his weekly general audience Jan. 20 -- in the middle of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity -- the pope said the unity that Jesus wants for his disciples will require human effort and conversion, but ultimately it will be a gift of God for which people must pray.
Jan. 19, 2010
Christians must face violence, extremism in Middle East with courage
Christians in the Middle East are called to be courageous builders of peace in a region too often marred by violence and oppression, said the outline for the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East.
Jan. 15, 2010
For Papal assailant Agca released from Turkish prison
The man who tried to kill Pope John Paul II in 1981 was released Jan. 18 from a Turkish prison.
Jan. 15, 2010
For Pope Benedict, a different shade of green
Over the last few months, Pope Benedict XVI has opened a wider dialogue on the subject of environmental protection, and in the process put a sharper focus on an issue that's become central to his pontificate.
Jan. 15, 2010
Morality offers solutions without impeding progress, says pope
Christian moral values do not infringe upon freedom and scientific research; rather they offer honest, concrete answers to biomedical questions facing the world today, Pope Benedict XVI said in a speech to members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Jan. 14, 2010
People digging for loved ones under mountains of debris, says nuncio
People have been pleading for help in digging loved ones out from under the rubble while others have fled to the hills for fear of tsunamis, said the Vatican's nuncio to Haiti.
Jan. 14, 2010
Pope says young people need help avoiding trivial sense of love, sex
The pope said when the church says "no" to particular behaviors and lifestyles, "in reality it is saying 'yes' to life, to love lived in the truth of giving oneself to another, and to love that is open to life and is not closed up in a narcissistic view of the couple."
Jan. 14, 2010
Caritas aid reaches Haiti quake survivors
Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based umbrella organization for Catholic charities, quickly delivered aid to the survivors of the Haiti earthquake but was in urgent need of additional relief materials.
Jan. 13, 2010
Pope prays for victims of Haiti quake; archbishop's body found
Pope Benedict XVI prayed for victims of a massive earthquake in Haiti and urged the international community to provide generous assistance to the stricken population of the Caribbean nation.
Jan. 12, 2010
Rome rabbi says pope's visit shows commitment to dialogue
Rome's chief rabbi said the planned visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the city's main synagogue and community center is a sign that Catholics and Jews are committed to respectful dialogue, even when their relationship hits stumbling blocks.
Jan. 11, 2010
Pope condemns violence against Christians, immigrants
Pope Benedict XVI condemned the use of violence, especially when the name of God is used to justify aggression against others. Though he did not specify which countries he was referring to, Christians have recently been targeted in Egypt, Malaysia and Iraq.
Jan. 11, 2010
Selfishness, lack of respect for life lead to destruction, pope says
War, hunger, oppression, environmental degradation and the current global financial crisis are all the result of selfishness and a lack of respect for the human person created in God's image, Pope Benedict XVI told diplomats from around the world.
Jan. 8, 2010
Officer says security worked perfectly on eve woman knocked pope down
Safety procedures worked perfectly and security personnel performed excellently the night Pope Benedict XVI was knocked down by the same woman who had attempted to get close to him a year before, a chief security officer said.
Jan. 8, 2010
A tightrope act? Pope prepares to visit Rome synagogue
As the pope prepared to travel from the Vatican to Rome's main synagogue Jan. 17 no one pretended the journey was going to be easy.
Jan. 7, 2010
Papal liturgist endorses 'reform of the reform' of the liturgy
The pope's chief liturgist, Msgr. Guido Marini, endorsed calls in the church for a "reform of the reform" of Catholic liturgy.
Jan. 6, 2010
Forget doomsayers; stop smoking, fasten seatbelts, advises astronomer
Lives are more at risk of being lost from smoking and driving without a seatbelt than they are from end-of-the-world predictions, said a Vatican astronomer.
Jan. 6, 2010
Insensitivity, smugness, pretension keep people from God, says pope
Celebrating the feast of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict XVI said an insensitive, hardened heart, over-confidence and world-weary smugness keep people from experiencing the true joy and love found in Jesus Christ.
Jan. 5, 2010
Vatican says more than 2.2 million attended papal events in 2009
The crowds included people who attended a weekly general audience, a special audience with the pope, a liturgy he celebrated or his Sunday Angelus gathering at the Vatican or at the papal villa, according to the annual statistics.
Jan. 4, 2010
Pope begins new year with call for respect for creation, trust in God
Marking the new year with the celebration Jan. 1 of the feast of Mary Mother of God and of World Peace Day and with Angelus recitations Jan. 1 and 3, Pope Benedict reminded Christians that God's promises require a response.
Dec. 31, 2009
Pope offers thanks for 2009, encourages solidarity in 2010
As 2009 came to a close and a new year was about to be ushered in, Pope Benedict XVI invited the world's Christians to look beyond the passage of time toward eternity.
Dec. 30, 2009
Papal calendar for 2010 includes synod, saints, shroud
As Pope Benedict XVI says goodbye to 2009, his 2010 calendar is already being filled.
Dec. 30, 2009
Church teachings reflect harmony of God's plan, pope says
Taken all together, the teachings of the Catholic faith are "a marvelous symphony that sings of God and his love," Pope Benedict XVI said at his general audience.
Dec. 28, 2009
Vatican to decide fate of woman who knocked down pope
The Vatican will decide how to proceed with the young woman responsible for knocking down the pope during Christmas Eve Mass only after it reviews medical and Vatican security reports, said Vatican spokesmen.
Dec. 28, 2009
Pope's Christmas marked by calls for charity, security incident
Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Christmas with a call for unselfish charity and solidarity with the suffering, and underlined the message two days later by lunching with the poor at a Rome soup kitchen.
Dec. 23, 2009
Of d'ohs and doughnuts: Vatican newspaper discusses Simpsons' theology
People either love or hate "The Simpsons," but there's no doubt the 20-year-old series reflects very modern notions -- and confusion -- about religion and spirituality, said the Vatican newspaper.
Dec. 22, 2009
Founder of Montreal's St. Joseph's Oratory headed for sainthood
Pope Benedict XVI formally recognized the miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed Andre Bessette, a brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross and founder of St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal in Montreal.
Dec. 22, 2009
Christians must make first move in offering reconciliation, pope says
The pope introduced the theme of reconciliation in his annual pre-Christmas address to the Roman Curia and cardinals who reside in Rome.
Dec. 21, 2009
Site lets people send pope Christmas photos, share papal e-cards
Young people can send Pope Benedict XVI a Christmas greeting personalized with a photograph and they can send their friends electronic Christmas cards featuring a message from the pope.
Dec. 21, 2009
Like the tree, Christ's light should shine from Christians, says pope
Christians are called to be like a brightly adorned Christmas tree and shine forth Christ's brilliant light to the world, Pope Benedict XVI told pilgrims from Belgium, the country that donated the tree in St. Peter's Square.
Dec. 21, 2009
Vatican says it must authorize use of papal names by institutions
In a move designed to protect the figure of the pope, the Vatican announced tighter controls on the use of papal names, photos and the word "pontifical."
Dec. 18, 2009
Vatican official calls for 'new thinking' to address climate change
The world must confront its current moral crises, ranging from hunger to environmental destruction, with "discernment and new thinking," said the head of the Vatican delegation to the United Nations climate change conference.
Dec. 18, 2009
Vatican to double the coins it mints, putting many in circulation
Representatives of the Vatican and the European Union signed a new agreement in Brussels Dec. 17 allowing the Vatican to more than double the monetary value of the coins it issues, but also requiring the Vatican to put a large chunk of its coins into circulation.
Dec. 17, 2009
Vatican dismisses Archbishop Milingo from the priesthood
In a statement issued Dec. 17, the Vatican said it was forced to take the step after Archbishop Milingo continued to commit "new crimes against the unity of the holy church," specifically by ordaining bishops against papal orders.
Dec. 17, 2009
Pope says even scholars must be humble enough to worship baby Jesus
Pope Benedict XVI said he knows it is tempting for a university student or professor to resist being humble enough to approach the baby Jesus with awe. But the Christmas manger is precisely where "each one of us can discover the truth about God and about the human person, about ourselves."
Dec. 17, 2009
Inside and outside the Vatican, 2009 was busy year for pope
Looking back on 2009, it's difficult to imagine a busier year for 82-year-old Pope Benedict XVI.
Dec. 16, 2009
Laws are just only if they protect human life, pope says
The only laws that can be considered just "are those laws that safeguard the sacredness of human life and reject the acceptance of abortion, euthanasia and unrestrained genetic experiments (and) those laws that respect the dignity of marriage between one man and one woman," the pope said Dec. 16 during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
Dec. 15, 2009
More moderate lifestyles means ending food waste, says cardinal
Cardinal Renato Martino, the recently retired president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, made his comments during a Vatican press conference Dec. 15 to present Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Peace Day 2010.
Dec. 15, 2009
Environmentalism is moral issue, part of promoting peace, pope says
The degradation of the environment is a pressing moral problem that threatens peace and human life itself, Pope Benedict XVI said in his message for World Peace Day.
Dec. 14, 2009
Pope prays for missionaries, including Irish priest, killed in Kenya
Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers for four missionaries killed in Africa, including an Irish priest who had worked on development for 41 years in Kenya and was found murdered Dec. 11 in his parish residence.
Dec. 14, 2009
Joy comes from receiving God's love, not lots of things, pope says
The secret to experiencing true joy is not found in accumulating lots of things, but from feeling loved by the Lord and being generous to others, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Dec. 11, 2009
Ecumenical allies? Orthodox, Catholics take aim at European secularism
For years, the Vatican has suggested that a promising area of ecumenical cooperation was a joint struggle by Christian churches against the moral and social challenges posed by a predominantly secular society. Now the Russian Orthodox Church has come forward to propose such a strategic alliance.
Dec. 11, 2009
Vatican says pope outraged by sex abuse in Ireland
Pope Benedict XVI shares "the outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by Irish Catholics over cases of clerical sexual abuse and the way abuse claims were handled by church leaders, and he plans to write a special pastoral letter to the Catholics of Ireland, the Vatican said.
Dec. 10, 2009
Pope urges greater religious freedom in Cuba, criticizes U.S. embargo
Welcoming Cuba's new ambassador to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI once again criticized the U.S. economic embargo against the country, but also called on the Cuban government to expand religious freedom on the island.
Dec. 9, 2009
Christ's real presence brings people closer to God, says pope
"Even today, there is the danger of reducing the reality of the Eucharist -- considering it almost as just a rite of communion or socialization, and we too often easily forget that the resurrected Christ is really present," the pope said during his weekly general audience.
Dec. 8, 2009
Mary teaches people to treat others with respect, pope says
The statues, paintings and mosaics of Mary found not only in the churches of Rome, but also in its public squares and on street-corner shrines should help the city's visitors and residents treat each other with more respect, Pope Benedict XVI said, marking the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Dec. 7, 2009
Pope calls Irish church leaders to Vatican to discuss abuse report
Pope Benedict XVI has asked the president of the Irish bishops' conference and the archbishop of Dublin to come to the Vatican to discuss "the painful situation of the church in Ireland" following a report detailing the church's failures in addressing clerical sexual abuse.
Dec. 7, 2009
On eve of climate summit, pope calls for responsible lifestyles
On the eve of the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pope Benedict XVI said protection of the environment requires more sober lifestyles and a rediscovery of the "moral dimension" of development.
Dec. 4, 2009
Vatican, Russia upgrade ties to full diplomatic relations
During a meeting at the Vatican Dec. 3, Pope Benedict XVI and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to establish full diplomatic ties between their two countries. Since 1990 they have exchanged diplomatic representatives but without full relations.
Dec. 4, 2009
Not so secret: New book features 105 documents from Vatican archives
Despite the aura of mystery surrounding the archives, the Vatican actually encourages academics to research its holdings and has worked with a Belgian publishing house to bring 105 of the most important, or curious, documents to the public.
Dec. 3, 2009
Vatican delegation to join UN climate change conference
The Vatican's delegation to the U.N. climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, was being headed by an experienced diplomat and included experts on the environment.
Dec. 3, 2009
Homosexuals deserve respect, compassion, says Vatican spokesman
In response to a report that a Mexican cardinal stated homosexuals will be banished from heaven, the Vatican spokesman said people should treat those who have homosexual tendencies with respect and compassion.
Dec. 2, 2009
Cardinal Foley decides to step down as Vatican's 'voice of Christmas'
After 25 years doing the English-language commentary for the pope's Christmas midnight Mass, U.S. Cardinal John P. Foley is stepping away from the microphone and hanging up the headphones.
Dec. 2, 2009
Vatican Film Library celebrates anniversary with DVD on Vatican II
In 1959, Blessed Pope John XXIII instituted the film library to collect and preserve film and television programs of high cultural and religious value as well as footage of the popes and the life of the church.
Dec. 2, 2009
Love of God, fellow man is driving force of human spirit, pope says
Choosing to love God and fellow human beings is the only choice that gives meaning to peoples' lives, Pope Benedict XVI said in reviewing the teachings of a 12th-century monk at the pope's weekly general audience.
Dec. 1, 2009
U.S. interns swap hard work for incredible experiences at Vatican
In a truly win-win arrangement, a group of U.S. university students get amazing access to the Vatican and the Vatican gets an enthusiastic, computer-savvy volunteer workforce.
Dec. 1, 2009
Cooperation between science, faith benefits humanity, pope says
Galileo Galilei showed the world that scientists cannot discover the truth solely through empirical study, but that philosophy and faith are also necessary for revealing the true meaning of the universe, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Nov. 30, 2009
Keep track of your blessings during Advent, pope suggests
Advent should be a time when Christians keep track of the little blessings they receive each day, blessings that are signs of God's love, Pope Benedict XVI suggested.
Nov. 30, 2009
Pope appeals for rights of migrant and refugee children
Pope Benedict XVI urged governments and international organizations to give special attention to the rights of child immigrants, who often are victims of exploitation and abandonment.
Nov. 30, 2009
Swiss bishops criticize country's ban on construction of minarets
The bishops of Switzerland said the country's ban on the construction of minarets, the Muslim prayer towers, represents an obstacle to interreligious harmony.
Nov. 25, 2009
Pope says contemplation, pursuit of understanding are keys to theology
Although there are different approaches to the study of the Scriptures, theology is rooted in contemplation based on faith and the pursuit of understanding, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Nov. 24, 2009
Fresh palette: Artists say they’re ready to support church’s mission
Ask and you shall receive. The art world is ready to collaborate with the church in creating inspirational modern art, said some artists who took part in a landmark meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.
Nov. 20, 2009
Pope urges support for deaf, including access to health care
He spoke Nov. 20 to some 400 people attending a Vatican conference addressing the role of the deaf in the church. A handful of interpreters signed the pope's words to deaf participants during the audience in the Clementine Hall of the papal palace.
Nov. 20, 2009
Glass half full: Anglican leader, Vatican official assess ecumenism
Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, said the ecumenical situation really is that of a "glass half full," and he held his water glass up to emphasize the point.
Nov. 19, 2009
Outreach to former Anglicans not model of ecumenism, archbishop says
Anglican Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury spoke Nov. 19 at Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University at a conference marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Cardinal Johannes Willebrands, a pioneer in Catholic ecumenism.
Nov. 19, 2009
US political parties are marked by hypocrisy, says former papal aide
Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who served as Vatican spokesman for Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, said both major U.S. political parties "run campaigns that are inspired by an asymmetrical ethics" in which a rule or ethical principle applies in one instance, but not in another.
Nov. 18, 2009
Sistine Scriptures: New book underlines Bible stories behind the art
To really see the Sistine Chapel, it's more important to have a Bible in your hands than mini-binoculars, said an official of the Vatican Museums.
Nov. 18, 2009
Pope calls for prayers, efforts on behalf of suffering children
Pope Benedict XVI called for prayers and greater efforts on the part of the international community to help the children around the world who live in dramatic situations.
Nov. 18, 2009
Pope emphasizes inspirational power of medieval cathedrals and art
Recalling the great European cathedrals of the Middle Ages, Pope Benedict XVI at his weekly general audience said that the contemplation of art and beauty offers a special way to commune with God.
Nov. 17, 2009
Vatican officials say church must improve service to deaf community
While the Catholic Church no longer considers deafness an impediment to ordination, there are only 13 priests in the world who were ordained deaf, said officials of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry.
Nov. 17, 2009
Reports say Pope John Paul closer to being declared venerable
The cardinal- and bishop-members of the Congregation for Saints' Causes voted unanimously Nov. 16 to recommend that Pope Benedict XVI formally recognize that Pope John Paul II heroically lived the Christian virtues, Italian newspapers reported.
Nov. 16, 2009
Church in China is showing signs of hope, cardinal tells priests
While there are signs of hope for Catholics in China, today is still "more a time of sowing than of reaping," said the Vatican secretary of state in a letter to priests in China.
Nov. 16, 2009
Cardinal Kasper says provision for Anglicans is not anti-ecumenical
The establishment of special structures for Anglicans who want to enter into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church absolutely is not a signal of the end of ecumenical dialogue with the Anglican Communion, said the Vatican's chief ecumenist.
Nov. 16, 2009
Luxury, waste are unacceptable when hunger is on the rise, says pope
Opulence and waste are unacceptable especially when hunger -- the cruelest form of poverty -- continues to rise, Pope Benedict XVI told world leaders at a summit on food security.
Nov. 13, 2009
Looking for bigger role on Web, bishops meet Google, Facebook reps
In an effort to understand how the church can make better use of the Internet and its search engines and popular social networking tools, European bishops met with representatives from Facebook, Google, YouTube and Wikipedia.
Nov. 13, 2009
Vatican hopes U.S. will lift Cuba embargo, archbishop says
The Vatican consistently has criticized the U.S. embargo against Cuba and hopes the Obama administration will lift the restrictions, recognizing the fact that they cause untold suffering for the Cuban people, a Vatican official said.
Nov. 13, 2009
Pope approves the election of new archbishop of Mosul, Iraq
More than 20 months after the body of kidnapped Chaldean Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mosul, Iraq, was recovered, Pope Benedict XVI approved the election of a new archbishop for the city.
Nov. 13, 2009
Married priests? For the Vatican, still an exception to the rule
The question of priestly celibacy is one that keeps bubbling to the surface at the Vatican, most often in the theoretical discussions of synods of bishops but more concretely in a new papal document on Anglicans coming into the Catholic Church.
Nov. 13, 2009
Charity is essential part of Christian witness, pope says
Catholics must be channels of God's goodness and love, offering concrete assistance to the poor and working for justice in the world, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Nov. 12, 2009
UN agency director proposes hunger strike before world food summit
The director-general of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization said he was going on a 24-hour hunger strike -- just five days before world leaders, including Pope Benedict, were to gather for the opening of the U.N. World Summit on Food Security -- and asked people around the world to join him.
Nov. 12, 2009
Migrants in detention have right to spiritual care, speakers say
Migrants and refugees in prisons and detention centers have the same right to spiritual assistance as any other person, a U.S. bishop told a Vatican meeting.
Nov. 11, 2009
Pope calls on Sri Lanka to let civilians return home
He urged government authorities to "greatly accelerate" their efforts and asked "all citizens to do their best to quickly bring about peace while fully respecting human rights and to find a just political solution to the challenges that the country still faces."
Nov. 11, 2009
Human values, Europe's future are rooted in Christianity, says pope
Leaders who want to promote authentic human values and the future of Europe should rediscover, protect and promote the cultural and religious legacy that blossomed on the continent during the Middle Ages, said Pope Benedict XVI at his weekly general audience.
Nov. 11, 2009
New CD featuring Pope Benedict's voice previewed in Rome
Under the gilded ceiling of a Roman basilica, a choir performed while the taped voice of Pope Benedict XVI sang the Marian hymn "Regina Coeli" ("Queen of Heaven").
Nov. 10, 2009
Vatican-sponsored meeting discusses chances of extraterrestrial life
Dozens of scientists gathered at a Vatican-sponsored meeting to fit together emerging pieces of a puzzle still waiting to be solved: whether there is life on other planets.
Nov. 10, 2009
Vatican unveils Villanova's virtual tour of St. John Lateran
The Vatican Web site celebrated the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran by launching a virtual tour of the Rome church -- thanks to Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
Nov. 9, 2009
Immigrants can make important contributions to society, pope says
People should not look upon immigrants as problems, but as fellow brothers and sisters who can be valuable contributors to society, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Nov. 9, 2009
Gorbachev was key to fall of Berlin Wall, former papal aide says
The most important figure in the fall of the Berlin Wall was former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who allowed the revival of political freedom throughout Eastern Europe, a former papal aide said.
Nov. 9, 2009
Papal document on former Anglicans maintains some Anglican traditions
The pope's apostolic constitution "Anglicanorum Coetibus" ("Groups of Anglicans") was published Nov. 9 at the Vatican along with specific norms governing the establishment and governance of "personal ordinariates," structures similar to dioceses, for former Anglicans who become Catholic.
Nov. 6, 2009
Reconcilable differences: The church reaches out to modern arts
Once made in heaven, the marriage between art and the church has long been on the skids. "We are a bit like estranged relatives; there has been a divorce," said one Vatican official.
Nov. 5, 2009
Vatican says 262 artists accept invitation for meeting with pope
The Nov. 21 gathering under Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel will bring the artists together to mark the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's letter to artists and the 45th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's meeting with artists.
Nov. 5, 2009
Pope John Paul's legacy continues to touch people, cardinal says
Pope John Paul II lives on "because he has remained in people's hearts," said Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, during a conference to present a new book on the late pope's legacy.
Nov. 5, 2009
Caritas says climate change will drastically increase world hunger
Caritas Internationalis -- the umbrella organization for 164 Catholic charities -- and other humanitarian organizations want world leaders to know that without bold action, global warming will have a disastrous effect on the world's poor and hungry.
Nov. 5, 2009
Pope says hope of eternal life helps people face life, death
Hope and faith in eternal life give Christians strength to overcome the difficulties of daily life and the pain of death, Pope Benedict XVI said during a Mass honoring cardinals and bishops who died during the past year.
Nov. 4, 2009
Vatican denounces European ruling against crucifixes in schools
The Vatican said it experienced "surprise and sorrow" when a European court ruled that the crucifixes hanging in Italian public schools violate religious freedom.
Nov. 4, 2009
Church needs healthy debates, conducted with caution, pope says
The Catholic Church needs healthy debates between theologians to increase the understanding of faith, but the debate must always uphold official church teaching and must be conducted in a way that does not confuse the faithful, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Nov. 3, 2009
Respect for life includes welcoming migrants, Vatican officials say
Catholics' respect for human life and dignity must be clear in the way they welcome migrants and refugees, offer them pastoral care and lobby their governments for fairer treatment of people on the move, Vatican officials said.
Nov. 3, 2009
Cardinal Rode defends apostolic visitation of US nuns
Cardinal Franc Rode, head of the Vatican office overseeing religious orders, said he requested an apostolic visitation of women's religious orders in the United States to help the sisters and to respond to concerns for their welfare.
Nov. 2, 2009
Pope says November feasts highlight tie between living, dead
Underlining people's connection with those who have gone before them, the annual commemorations of All Saints and All Souls remind Christians that "we are never alone," Pope Benedict XVI said.
Nov. 2, 2009
Vatican says Anglican document delay not due to married priests issue
The Vatican has denied that the delay in publishing the apostolic constitution on Anglicans seeking admission to the Catholic Church has been caused by an internal Vatican debate over admitting married priests.
Oct. 30, 2009
Awe for creation, pursuit of truth benefits science, pope says
The same awe and amazement for creation and the quest for truth that underlined the work of early scientists would bring huge benefits to scientific discoveries today, Pope Benedict XVI told a group of astronomers.
Oct. 30, 2009
Catholic blogosphere: Council looks at promoting charity, truth online
A recurring theme during a meeting of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications was what constitutes Catholic communications and what, if anything, can be done about those who use the word Catholic to describe themselves while using all sorts of nasty adjectives to describe anyone who doesn't agree with them.
Oct. 29, 2009
Church must adapt to the way media are impacting culture, pope says
The content of the Gospel message remains unchanged, he said, but the church must learn how to transmit that message to new generations and must do so by taking advantage of the new technology and new attitudes toward communications.
Oct. 29, 2009
Pope calls for strengthening of religious freedom in Iran
Welcoming Iran's new ambassador to the Vatican Oct. 29, the pope praised the "deep religious sensibility" of the Iranian people, and said the Catholic community there -- which dates to the church's early centuries -- has a long history of living in harmony with the Muslim majority.
Oct. 29, 2009
Vatican honors Jesuit missionary to China, Father Matteo Ricci
A new Vatican exhibit highlights the life of a Jesuit missionary whose extraordinary intelligence, culture and open-mindedness helped him bring Christianity to imperial China four centuries ago.
Oct. 28, 2009
Dissident theologian criticizes pope's opening to Anglicans
Dissident theologian Father Hans Kung criticized Pope Benedict XVI for his recent opening to discontented Anglicans, charging the pope was "fishing" for the most conservative Christians to the detriment of the larger church.
Oct. 28, 2009
Head of Knights of Columbus honored by city of Rome
The head of the Knights of Columbus has been awarded Rome's "Lupa Capitolina" prize in recognition of the work and service the organization has carried out in the Italian capital for nearly a century.
Oct. 28, 2009
Pope calls for more attentive, prayerful listening to Gospel readings
Pope Benedict XVI, at his weekly general audience, invited all Catholics to listen more carefully and prayerfully to the Gospel readings, especially during Sunday Mass, and to set aside a bit of time every day to meditate on the word of God.
Oct. 27, 2009
Pope will travel to northern Italy in May to see Shroud of Turin
The Vatican and the Archdiocese of Turin announced Oct. 27 that Pope Benedict will visit the city May 2. "As the first act of his visit, the Holy Father will pause for personal prayer before the holy shroud," the archdiocese said.
Oct. 26, 2009
Pope names Ghana's Cardinal Turkson head of justice, peace council
When the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, announced the appointment Oct. 24 at the start of a synod press conference, the 61-year-old cardinal smiled broadly and giggled as journalists applauded.
Oct. 26, 2009
Vatican, traditionalist Catholics identify key questions for dialogue
In an atmosphere described as "cordial, respectful and constructive," Vatican officials opened a dialogue with representatives of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X and scheduled twice-a-month meetings over the coming months.
Oct. 26, 2009
Synod proposals call for change of heart to meet Africa's challenges
Meeting the challenges of Africa -- from protecting the environment to stopping the spread of AIDS -- requires an individual change of heart, better education and cooperation based on respect for African and Christian values, said Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Oct. 26, 2009
Bishop asks synod for initiation ritual that respects girls' bodies
In condemning the practice of female genital mutilation, the Catholic Church must offer alternative rituals for helping girls mark the passage to womanhood, a bishop from Tanzania told the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 26, 2009
At synod closing Mass, pope urges stronger evangelization in Africa
At a Mass to close the Synod of Bishops for Africa, Pope Benedict XVI urged the church to be a model of unity and a force of reconciliation throughout the African continent.
Oct. 23, 2009
Synod message decries corruption, appeals for cooperation in Africa
The greed, corruption and unjust economic structures fomenting conflict and poverty in Africa must be overcome through the united cooperation of all people of good will, said the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 23, 2009
As some protest, Catholic-Orthodox dialogue discusses role of papacy
In the midst of a protest by a small number of Orthodox monks and faithful, the official Catholic-Orthodox dialogue commission met in Cyprus Oct. 16-23.
Oct. 23, 2009
Key post: US archbishop will help shape the world's episcopate
Pope Benedict XVI's naming of U.S. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke to the Congregation for Bishops was a small but significant appointment that could have an impact on the wider church for many years to come.
Oct. 23, 2009
Cardinal says media has ignored work of African bishops' synod
Three weeks of intensive discussion among African bishops about the challenges they face in their poor and often war-torn countries have been largely ignored by the media, a South African cardinal said.
Oct. 22, 2009
Vatican offers first-aid kits to members of synod for Africa
The Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry gave first-aid kits to the 275 members of the Synod of Bishops for Africa as a "small sign of solidarity and communion with the populations of the African continent."
Oct. 21, 2009
Arrangement for former Anglicans recognizes their special history
Even before the formal Anglican-Roman Catholic theological dialogue began working on ways to restore unity, the Second Vatican Council singled out the Anglicans when talking about the Christian communities born in the 16th century.
Oct. 21, 2009
Saint from Middle Ages found answers to life with prayer, pope says
The life and writings of a 12th-century abbot remind Christians that questions about the meaning of life and God cannot be answered without prayer and contemplation, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Oct. 20, 2009
Dialogue, negotiations must replace war, say synod bishops
Dialogue and negotiations must replace weapons and war, said an appeal from the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 20, 2009
Hawaiian Boy Scouts travel the world for St. Damien
A troop of Hawaiian Boy Scouts traveled more than 7,000 miles to witness the canonization of their beloved St. Damien de Veuster, documenting their experiences in order to share them with the world.
Oct. 20, 2009
Pope establishes structure for Anglicans uniting with Rome
Pope Benedict XVI has established a special structure for Anglicans who want to be in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church while preserving aspects of their Anglican spiritual and liturgical heritage.
Oct. 19, 2009
Pope says Europe needs Christian values to prosper, help others
If European unity is based only on geography and economics, it cannot succeed in promoting the common good of all Europe's citizens and in helping the rest of the world, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Oct. 19, 2009
Archbishop Burke celebrates Tridentine Mass in St. Peter's Basilica
The Mass marked the liturgical close of a conference in Rome on Pope Benedict XVI's 2007 apostolic letter, "Summorum Pontificum," which expanded permission for the celebration of the Mass using the 1962 Roman Missal, commonly known as the Tridentine rite.
Oct. 19, 2009
Vatican invites the sick and suffering to help priests through prayer
The president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry encouraged the sick and suffering to pray for an increase in priestly vocations and for priests who are sick and afflicted.
Oct. 19, 2009
Church must proclaim its message of hope to all people, pope says
The pope said World Mission Sunday, which is observed Oct. 18 in most countries, reminds the faithful of their duty "to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to everyone, in particular to those who still don't know it."
Oct. 16, 2009
Sell the Vatican? Nigerian archbishop calls the idea 'stupid'
Africans from poor countries admire the Vatican, and have no desire to dismantle it, Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja told reporters at a briefing on the Synod of Bishops for Africa Oct. 16.
Oct. 16, 2009
Promoting right to life requires fighting world hunger, pope says
The current economic crisis has hit agriculture particularly hard, and governments and the world community must "make determined and effective choices" in investing in agriculture in the developing world, he said.
Oct. 16, 2009
Ecumenical quality control: Cardinal reviews 40 years of dialogue
When Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Vatican's chief ecumenist, tried to harvest the fruits of 40 years of dialogue with the mainline Protestant churches, he did it by the piece, not the bushel.
Oct. 16, 2009
Cardinal urges Catholics, Hindus to work together for good of humanity
As the world's Hindus prepared to celebrate Diwali, the feast of lights, a Vatican official urged Hindus and Catholics to work together to dispel the darkness that keeps them from working together for the good of all humanity.
Oct. 15, 2009
Climate change requires ethical solutions, says Caritas
Climate change and its devastating effects on the world's poorest countries can be mitigated only with an ethical approach based on solidarity and justice for all, Caritas Internationalis warned.
Oct. 15, 2009
Vatican announces start of dialogue with traditionalist group
The first encounter between the leaders of the Society of St. Pius X and Vatican experts will take place Oct. 26 at the Vatican, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said Oct. 15.
Oct. 14, 2009
Bishops criticize aid with strings attached as 'cultural imperialism'
Development aid that is tied to promoting abortion, contraception and cutbacks in social and educational programs represents a form of "cultural imperialism" from the West that must end, said some bishops at this month's synod for Africa.
Oct. 14, 2009
US-Caritas meeting on pediatric AIDS calls for justice in health care
A conference in Rome on creating partnerships between government and faith-based organizations to fight HIV and AIDS, particularly among children, turned into a something of a rally for a more just global distribution of wealth, health and technology.
Oct. 14, 2009
Medieval abbot an example of love for God and neighbor, pope says
At his weekly general audience, the pope praised Peter the Venerable, who led the powerful Benedictine abbey in Cluny, France, for more than 30 years, for his ability to maintain inner tranquillity while guiding his monastery and order through tumultuous times.
Oct. 13, 2009
History of Italy's celestial studies stars in Vatican Museums' exhibit
The Vatican and Italian observatories have teamed up to display for the first time numerous precious instruments and books documenting the birth and development of stargazing in Italy.
Oct. 13, 2009
Pope to visit Rome synagogue in January, Vatican says
In a gesture of interfaith reconciliation, Pope Benedict XVI will visit the Rome synagogue and meet with the city's Jewish community in January, the Vatican announced.
Oct. 13, 2009
UN agency head tells synod that fighting hunger is a matter of faith
The teachings of the Catholic Church and of Islam urge believers to manage resources wisely, providing for the poorest and avoiding all waste and excess, the head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization told the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 13, 2009
Synod official highlights growth of church in Africa
Statistics released during the October Synod of Bishops for Africa illustrate significant growth among African Catholics and point toward a hopeful future for the continent, according to a leading Vatican official.
Oct. 12, 2009
Synod raises concerns about development practices, US archbishop says
The main U.S. representative at the Synod of Bishops for Africa said he's heard primarily positive comments about the United States, along with some serious concerns about respecting African sovereignty, traditions and environment.
Oct. 12, 2009
Bishops call Catholics to be main agents of change in Africa
African Catholics must become the main forces to ending the continent's wars, promoting reconciliation, fighting corruption, safeguarding the family and protecting Africa's natural resources, said members of the special Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 12, 2009
Saints' courage, love still make mark on 21st century, say pilgrims
Fifty thousand pilgrims, young and old, healthy and infirm flocked to St. Peter's Basilica and Square to show that the courage, love and influence of the newly proclaimed saints from the 19th century were still alive today.
Oct. 9, 2009
Nobel Peace Prize to Obama greeted with praise, high hopes at Vatican
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi told journalists Oct. 9 that the news "was greeted with appreciation at the Vatican in light of the president's demonstrated commitment to promoting peace on an international level and, in particular, in recently promoting nuclear disarmament."
Oct. 9, 2009
Women at synod urge bishops to face reality of discrimination
The superior general of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles invoked something at least one bishop thought was a nightmare: She asked members of the Synod of Bishops for Africa to imagine a church without women.
Oct. 9, 2009
Bishop says church needs to help women in polygamous marriages
The Catholic Church in Africa needs to make special provisions for women who want to join the church, but are denied the sacraments because they are in polygamous marriages, a bishop from Ghana said.
Oct. 9, 2009
Synod concerned about Catholics' attraction to evangelical movements
The increasing number of Catholics in Africa who flock to the evangelical churches is a topic of concern at the second special Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 9, 2009
Synod spotlight: African cardinal finds candor brings complications
The idea of an African pope captures public imagination, and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana has discovered that it also brings its own set of problems.
Oct. 8, 2009
African family values threatened by Western ideology, bishops say
The African family is being undermined by violence, AIDS and Western ideas that upset the traditional relationship between men and women, some African bishops warned at the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 8, 2009
Congolese bishop leaves synod to care for parish attacked by rebels
While members of the Synod of Bishops for Africa were discussing ways to promote peace and solidarity on the continent, a Congolese bishop told the assembly he had to go home to care for one of his parishes that had been attacked.
Oct. 8, 2009
Pope meets Palestinian leader, discusses Middle East conflict
During the meeting in the papal library, the two men discussed the problems in the Middle East and the need to find "a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in which the rights of all are recognized and respected," said a statement from the Vatican press office.
Oct. 8, 2009
Archbishop Chaput rejects cardinal's upbeat appraisal of Obama speech
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver has taken issue with a retired Vatican official's positive assessment of President Barack Obama's speech last May at the University of Notre Dame.
Oct. 8, 2009
Catholicism combats destructive individualism, Cardinal George says
The Catholic Church is a network of relationships that, if lived faithfully and openly, can show others how to live in harmony and with a sense of responsibility for the common good and the good of the planet, said Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago in a presentation of his new book in Rome.
Oct. 8, 2009
Genetically modified crops call for caution, bishop tells synod
Africa should be cautious in its approach to genetically modified agriculture "even if it promises economic salvation" for the impoverished continent, a bishop from Cameroon said.
Oct. 7, 2009
Ethnic tensions in the church must be overcome, say African bishops
Catholics in Africa have to overcome lingering ethnic and racial tensions within their own church communities in order to be credible witnesses to the Gospel and powerful agents for change, said a number of African bishops at the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 7, 2009
Ambassador optimistic about US-Vatican cooperation in Obama era
"As ambassador, I know there are areas where the Holy See and the United States are not in complete agreement. But I seek to be a bridge-builder, and to underscore that we can work together in multiple areas," Miguel Diaz said in an interview with Catholic News Service Oct. 7.
Oct. 7, 2009
Saintly pharmacist-priest shining example for Christians, pope says
Pope Benedict XVI, at his weekly general audience, held up the "luminous figure" of a 16th-century saint as an example of the missionary spirit every Christian should adopt.
Oct. 7, 2009
North African bishops urge synod to pledge dialogue with Muslims
Addressing the Synod of Bishops for Africa Oct. 6, several North African bishops urged the synod to replace fear of the Muslim community with real efforts to understand and learn from Islam and to collaborate with Muslim leaders to promote development and peace on the continent.
Oct. 6, 2009
President Obama being cited at African synod
President Barack Obama was mentioned three times by two different bishops on the first full day of the special Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 6, 2009
Racial justice still must be achieved in US, archbishop tells synod
While the United States has made tremendous progress in moving from a history of slavery toward racial justice, there is still much left to do, said Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta Oct. 5 during the special Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 6, 2009
Ethiopian patriarch asks synod for united efforts on behalf of Africa
The leaders of all religions in Africa must work together to promote and protect the continent's abundance of faith and natural resources, which often are threatened by war and exploitation, the patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church told the Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 5, 2009
Condoms are not reliable in fight against HIV, says African cardinal
Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana, said condoms give "people a false sense of security, which rather facilitates the spread of HIV/AIDS."
Oct. 5, 2009
'African pope? Why not?' Ghanaian cardinal tells journalists at synod
During a Vatican press conference Oct. 5, Cardinal Peter Turkson was asked about the possibility of the church having an African pope someday and about his reaction to the election of President Barack Obama. "An African pope? Why not?" he said.
Oct. 5, 2009
Synod opens with call on Africans to be forces for justice, peace
Reconciled with one another and committed to justice, African Catholics must become active forces for justice and peace on the continent, said Cardinal Peter Turkson of Cape Coast, Ghana, as he opened the work of the second special Synod of Bishops for Africa Oct. 5.
Oct. 5, 2009
Pope says African church must oppose 'toxic waste' of materialism
Africans must tap into the strengths of their cultural and religious values to promote reconciliation on the continent and to resist the "spiritual toxic waste" spread by the West, Pope Benedict XVI said, presiding Oct. 4 over the opening Mass for the special Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Oct. 2, 2009
Holy See urges establishment of 'nuclear-free zone' in Middle East
BA Vatican official called for the establishment of a "nuclear-free zone" in the Middle East and urged all countries to work toward total the elimination of their nuclear arsenals.
Oct. 2, 2009
African synod members include representatives from around the world
Bishops, priests and laity from each of the 53 African nations, as well as from Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant churches on the continent, will be the chief protagonists of the Synod of Bishops for Africa. But they will not be the only participants.
Oct. 2, 2009
Charity in action: Impact of new saints continues in United States
Both Blessed Damien de Veuster and Blessed Jeanne Jugan, who will be canonized by Pope Benedict XVI Oct. 11, are important figures for U.S. Catholics and reflect the pope's priority on the faith as charity in action, especially toward society's outcasts and forgotten.
Oct. 2, 2009
Pope welcomes new US ambassador, prods on right to life issues
Welcoming the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI outlined wide areas of potential cooperation with the administration of President Barack Obama, but drew a sharp line on the issues of abortion and the rights of conscience.
Oct. 1, 2009
Religious discrimination must be stopped, pope tells Pakistani leader
Pope Benedict XVI met with Pakistan's president and emphasized the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for all citizens.
Oct. 1, 2009
Pope to visit Cyprus, present topics for Middle East synod
The pope will deliver to church leaders from the Middle East a summary of topics to be discussed at the October 2010 special Synod of Bishops on the Middle East, according to the Web site of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.
Oct. 1, 2009
Pope names six from US to Pontifical Council for the Family
Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston and five other U.S. Catholics to positions on the Pontifical Council for the Family.
Oct. 1, 2009
Remembering WWII, Vatican hosts concert of young musicians for peace
The Vatican will host an unusual concert with an eye to encouraging future generations to turn to music rather than violence when faced with conflict between nations.
Sept. 30, 2009
Vatican envoy to UN defends church's response to sex abuse
The Vatican has defended its response to the problem of sexual abuse of children by priests, saying that the church had been "cleaning its own house" and that other religions and institutions were similarly tainted.
Sept. 30, 2009
Czechs should resist relativism, consumerism, pope says at audience
Pope Benedict XVI said he hoped that his recent trip to the Czech Republic would help the largely secular country rediscover its Christian roots and resist the evils of relativism and consumerism.
Sept. 30, 2009
Aid tied to family planning is 'an abuse of power,' says papal nuncio
The Vatican's chief representative to the United Nations said giving foreign development aid only if a country adopts family planning programs that promote artificial birth control is "an abuse of power."
Sept. 30, 2009
Caritas responds to tsunami in South Pacific
Relief workers for the Catholic aid organization Caritas responded immediately after a violent tsunami struck the South Pacific island groups of Samoa and American Samoa.
Sept. 29, 2009
Vatican, food experts say biotechnology will improve African farming
African farmers should be able to use new biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms, to help lift their continent out of poverty, Vatican officials and agricultural experts said at a symposium in Rome.
Sept. 29, 2009
Pope is pleased with greater debate on ethics in the economy
Pope Benedict XVI said he is pleased that his recent encyclical has prompted increased debate over the role of the profit motive in world economies.
Sept. 29, 2009
Theme for 2010 communications day invites priests to use digital media
For World Communications Day 2010, Pope Benedict XVI has chosen the theme "The priest and pastoral ministry in a digital world: New media at the service of the Word."
Sept. 28, 2009
Foundation seeks place of honor for Pope Pius XII at Yad Vashem
An effort to add the name of Pope Pius XII to the official list of people who helped protect Jews during the Holocaust is gathering steam and is supported by Pope Benedict XVI, the project's main promoter said.
Sept. 28, 2009
Pope says he still cannot fully use his right wrist, but he can write
Pope Benedict XVI said his right wrist has still not fully recovered from being broken after he fell this summer, but that it has healed enough so that he can write again.
Sept. 28, 2009
Pope urges Czechs to regain values that inspired fight for freedom
Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the peaceful revolt that brought down the country's communist regime, Pope Benedict XVI urged people in the Czech Republic to rediscover the spiritual and moral values that sustained their struggle for freedom.
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