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Jan. 13, 2012

Making the old new: Vatican encourages a recovery of 'apologetics' In the Catholic Church, it's true that everything old can be new again, and the Vatican wants one of those things to be the art of "apologetics" -- dusted off and updated to respond to new challenges, including those posed by militant atheists.
Jan. 12, 2012

More links: Pilgrim's Corner: How to: visit Vatican excavations get tickets to papal audiences, Masses find lodging at religious guest houses and more ... Vatican Letter A weekly column by the Rome bureau

Pope says selfishness, individualism fed economic crisis The economic crisis should push people to look at the values reflected in their civic life and prompt an honest evaluation of whether citizens are working together to promote justice and solidarity, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Jan. 11, 2012

Eucharist gives strength to those who are weak, weary, lost, pope says The Eucharist sustains those who are tired, worn out or lost in the world and transforms human sin and weakness into new life, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Jan. 11, 2012

Pope John Paul II

-Special SectionNumber of Vatican Museums' visitors tops 5 million In 2011, for the first time, the number of visitors to the Vatican Museums topped 5 million, posing serious problems as well as challenges in the areas of access and education.
Jan. 9, 2012

In speech to diplomats, pope condemns 'religiously motivated terrorism' Pope Benedict XVI condemned "religiously motivated terrorism" and restrictions on religious freedom during his annual address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican.
Jan. 9, 2012

Pope baptizes 16 infants, says sacraments help parents raise kids right Pope Benedict XVI baptized 16 infants and told their parents and godparents that prayer an the sacraments will give them the strength and guidance they need to promote a child's true well-being.
Jan. 6, 2012

Calm and collected: Amid crisis, Vatican diplomacy shows 'maturity' Pope Benedict XVI's early January address to the Vatican diplomatic corps, an annual tradition that reaffirms the Holy See's commitment to its relations with foreign states, come after an especially trying year for Vatican diplomacy.

Jan. 6, 2012

Pope names 22 new cardinals, including three North Americans Among those named were Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York; Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, a former archbishop of Baltimore who now serves as grand master of the Equestria Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; and Archbishop Thomas C. Collins of Toronto.
Jan. 6, 2012

On Epiphany, pope ordains US, Polish priests as archbishops Celebrating the feast of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict XVI ordained two new bishops, including U.S. Archbishop Charles J. Brown, a longtime official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith who is the new nuncio to Ireland.
Jan. 5, 2012

Vatican to issue recommendations for celebrating Year of Faith In an effort to help Catholics have a better and correct understanding of their faith and become authentic witnesses to Christ, the Vatican is issuing a list of pastoral recommendations for celebrating the Year of Faith.
Jan. 4, 2012

Pope, at audience, reflects on meaning of Christmas, Epiphany At Christmas, the human dream of being like God started to become a reality -- not through any human efforts, but through God sending his son to be born on earth to redeem humanity, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Jan. 3, 2012

Pope will meet Mexican, Cuban presidents during visit in March Vatican Radio released the pope's itinerary as detailed by the Mexican and Cuban bishops' conferences Jan. 2.
Jan. 3, 2012

In message for World Day of the Sick, pope stresses value of anointing Anointing of the sick is not a minor sacrament, said Pope Benedict XVI, but one that "deserves greater consideration today" because of its spiritual benefits to both minister and recipient.
Jan. 3, 2012

In message for World Day of the Sick, pope stresses value of anointing Anointing of the sick is not a minor sacrament, said Pope Benedict XVI, but one that "deserves greater consideration today" because of its spiritual benefits to both minister and recipient.
Jan. 3, 2012

Pope says Christians look to new year with hope, commitment to peace Christians should look toward the New Year with hope and a commitment to working for justice and peace, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Dec. 30, 2011

Vatican agency says at least 26 church workers killed in 2011 Each year, Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, publishes a list of pastoral workers who died violently.
Dec. 29, 2011

Italian state experts create similar colorations seen on Turin shroud The enormous technical difficulty in achieving the positive results makes it highly unlikely that the shroud is a fake from medieval times, said Italys national research agency.
Dec. 29, 2011

Pope's 2012 to include synod, international trips, canonizations The 2012 highlights are only a small part of the pope's day-to-day schedule, which includes hundreds of meetings, speeches, messages and liturgies.
Dec. 27, 2011

Pope condemns Christmas bombings in Nigeria Pope Benedict XVI said he was deeply saddened by the news of the Christmas bombings in Nigeria, and he offered his prayers to all those who have been stricken by this absurd gesture.
Dec. 25, 2011

Pope says Christmas shows God's will to save people from sin, violence In his Christmas message, like in his homily at Mass the night before, Pope Benedict spoke about God's desire to save humanity and his decision to do that by being born in Bethlehem living among people, dying for them and rising from the dead.
Dec. 22, 2011

For pope, 2011 was year of evangelization, travel and technology The year 2011 saw two of Pope Benedict's favorite themes come into clearer focus: new evangelization and religious liberty. Increasingly, he has linked the two topics, telling bishops that both tasks require courageous truth-telling in sometimes hostile environments.
Dec. 22, 2011

Pope points to joyful lessons learned from World Youth Day, Benin trip Meeting members of the Roman Curia Dec. 22 for his annual exchange of Christmas greetings, the pope said the "faith fatigue" seen in various areas of church life contrasts sharply with the faith and joy he witnessed during World Youth Day in Madrid and during his November trip to Benin.
Dec. 21, 2011

Highlight religious meaning of Christmas, pope asks Christians Pope Benedict XVI asked Christians to highlight the real meaning, the religious meaning, of Christmas as they celebrate the holidays.
Dec. 20, 2011

Cardinal Levada, classmates celebrate 50 years of priesthood At the same altar in St. Peter's Basilica where they were ordained priests exactly 50 years ago, Cardinal William J. Levada and 17 of his classmates celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving "for the great gift of the priesthood" Dec. 20.
Dec. 19, 2011

Pope advances sainthood causes of Marianne Cope, Kateri Tekakwitha During a meeting Dec. 19 with Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, the pope signed the decrees recognizing the miracles needed for the canonizations of Blesseds Marianne and Kateri.
Dec. 19, 2011

Pope tells prisoners God loves them, Christians pray for them Pope Benedict XVI told inmates at a Rome prison that people say nasty things about him, too, but it's important to remember that there are other people ready to offer their love and support.
Dec. 19, 2011

Not an abstract idea, evangelization calls for real witness, pope says New evangelization is not an abstract idea to pitch, but rather a call to authentically live the Gospel message, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Dec. 16, 2011

Teaching young about human dignity promotes peace, justice, pope says In his Word Peace Day message, Pope Benedict XVI asks parents and teachers to be more attentive to the hopes and fears of young people today.
Dec. 15, 2011

Of liturgy and life: Jesuit scholar reflects on his 46 years in Rome Hes a world-renowned liturgical scholar, but students and friends constantly share his pithy quotes.
Dec. 14, 2011

Prayer must include praise, thanks, not just requests, pope says Pope Benedict XVI asked people at his general audience to pray like Jesus did.
Dec. 13, 2011

Meeting pope, rabbi seeks joint efforts to infuse economy with values The free market is the economic model that seems most consonant with biblical teaching, but the global economic crisis demonstrates that, without moral values, the market econom can implode, said Great Britain's chief rabbi.
Dec. 13, 2011

Climate change is a faith issue, Honduran cardinal says Climate change is a faith issue because it deals with God's creation and with poverty, said Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, who was in South Africa for the U.N.sponsored international conference on the topic.
Dec. 12, 2011

Pope celebrates Guadalupe feast, confirms he'll travel to Mexico, Cuba Celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and confirming he will travel to Mexico and Cuba in the spring, Pope Benedict XVI called on the people of Latin America to hold firm to their faith.
Dec. 12, 2011

Pope says late cardinal should inspire use of media to spread Gospel In a telegram to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia Dec. 12, the pope expressed his sadness and condolences for the death of Cardinal John P. Foley, who died Dec. 11 after a battle with leukemia.
Dec. 12, 2011

Christians draw joy from knowing God is near, pope says In the dry spiritual desert of modern society and the darkness of moral and economic confusion, Christians draw joy from knowing that Christ is near, Pope Benedict XVI said on Gaudete Sunday.
Dec. 9, 2011

Indelible faith: Israeli ambassador shares research on pilgrim tattoos A conference in Rome explored the history of tattoos, the use of permanent body markings in a variety of cultures, tattooing techniques, social and religious attitudes toward tattooing, and the tradition of pilgrim tattoos both in Jerusalem and in Loreto, Italy.
Dec. 9, 2011

Prayer, not activism, is key to evangelization, preacher tells pope The Catholic Church's project of "new evangelization" faces two dangers: people thinking others will do the work and people so fired up to preach the Gospel, they forget to pray, said the preacher of the papal household.
Dec. 9, 2011

New Jersey, Pennsylvania 'ad limina' talks look at new evangelization During their "ad limina" visits to Rome in early December, the bishops of New Jersey and

Pennsylvania spoke to Vatican officials about energizing the faith of Catholics, re-proposing the faith to people who have drifted away and proclaiming the Gospel in new ways.
Dec. 8, 2011

Church should fear sin of members more than persecution, pope says The church should fear the sin of its own members more than hatred against Christians, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Dec. 8, 2011

Pope taps tablet, lights world's largest Christmas 'tree' Pope Benedict XVI tapped a tablet computer and successfully lit the world's largest electroni Christmas "tree" located in the Italian town of Gubbio.
Dec. 7, 2011

Pope names two US Catholic evangelists to advise Vatican council Curtis Martin, of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, and Ralph Martin, of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit, were among 15 people appointed as consultors to the newly created Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
Dec. 7, 2011

To follow Gospel is to follow Christ, not some ethical code, pope says Following the Gospel is not adhering to a doctrine or code of ethics but entails truly following the person of Christ in one's life, Pope Benedict XVI said during his weekly general audience
Dec. 6, 2011

Vatican thanks Knights for restoring tomb from old St. Peter's Basilica With help from the Knights of Columbus, the only papal tomb transferred from the old to the new St. Peter's Basilica has been restored.
Dec. 5, 2011

Pope prays for migrants, encourages international assistance In early December, government representatives were to meet in Geneva to mark the 60th anniversary of the International Organization for Migration and discuss migration issues.
Dec. 5, 2011

'Ad limina' is time of reflection, renewal, bishop says A bishop's "ad limina" visit to Rome should be a time of reflection, renewal and inspiration t return home to preach the Gospel with joy, said Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski of Metuchen, N.J.
Dec. 2, 2011

Study abroad can't promote 'brain drain' from poor countries, pope says Attending a university abroad can enrich a student's life, but it should not promote the "brain drain" phenomenon that sees a country's best and brightest young people enticed to emigrate, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Dec. 2, 2011

Vatican II treasure hunt: Committee seeks bishops' notes, diaries The Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences is asking church archivists, and even the family members of deceased Vatican II council fathers, to look through their papers to find reflections that can add a personal touch to the historical research already conducted on the official acts of the council.
Dec. 1, 2011

Christian families are key part of new evangelization, pope says A family, founded on the marriage of a man and woman and open to having children, is "the human space for an encounter with Christ," he said Dec. 1 in a speech to members of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

Dec. 1, 2011

On World AIDS Day, Vatican renews call for greater access to therapy The deaths each year of more than a million people from AIDS, the suffering of their familie and the new infections of hundreds of thousands of infants are unacceptable when the medicines needed to prevent them exist, a Vatican official said.
Nov. 30, 2011

Vatican says seat-belt complaint drew papal smile The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI greeted with a smile the news that a German citizen had filed a complaint against him for not wearing a seat belt in his popemobile.
Nov. 30, 2011

At audience, pope praises groups for efforts to ban death penalty Pope Benedict XVI gave a special greeting of encouragement to delegations meeting in Rom -- including a group from Illinois -- to promote the abolition of the death penalty.
Nov. 30, 2011

Archbishop Dolan says N.Y. bishops impressed with 'ad limina' process Vatican officials offered strong encouragement, precise questions and occasional challenges to bishops from New York state during their November "ad limina" visits, said Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York.
Nov. 29, 2011

Vatican to welcome Christmas with carols this year The Vatican is planning to sing its way into the Christmas season this year, with a chorus and orchestra leading Christmas carols at the annual unveiling of its Nativity scene Dec. 24.
Nov. 29, 2011

Traditionalist head says Vatican doctrinal statement needs changes The head of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X said a "doctrinal preamble" presented by the Vatican needs changes before it can be accepted as the basis for the group's reconciliation with Rome.
Nov. 28, 2011

Pope urges international agreement on climate change Pope Benedict XVI urges world leaders meeting in South Africa to keep the poor in mind when they discuss the next steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nov. 26, 2011

U.S. priest serving at doctrinal congregation is new nuncio to Ireland Pope Benedict XVI has named U.S. Msgr. Charles J. Brown, a longtime official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as the new apostolic nuncio to Ireland.
Nov. 26, 2011

Addressing U.S. bishops, pope defends church efforts on sex abuse In a speech to U.S. bishops, Pope Benedict XVI defended the church's "honest efforts" to confront the priestly sex abuse scandal with transparency, and said its actions could help th rest of society respond to the problem.
Nov. 23, 2011

At audience, pope says Benin trip highlighted Africa's joy, faith Pope Benedict XVI says his meeting with schoolchildren in Ouidah was a highlight of his trip to Benin.
Nov. 22, 2011

Pope's critique of global economic system resurfaces in Africa The pope has consistently taken a wary and critical view of the global economic system and the disparities it has generated.

Nov. 21, 2011

Vatican newspaper says Shakespeare was secret Catholic There is "little doubt" that William Shakespeare was a Catholic who was forced to hide his faith in Protestant England while leaving hints about his faith throughout his vast body of work, said an opinion piece in the Vatican newspaper.
Nov. 21, 2011

Vatican replaces Cardinal Law as archpriest of Rome basilica Cardinal Bernard F. Law, former archbishop of Boston, has been replaced as archpriest of the Rome Basilica of St. Mary Major, the Vatican announced.
Nov. 20, 2011

Trip roundup: In Africa, pope asks church to be model of reconciliation On a three-day visit to Benin, Pope Benedict XVI urged African Catholics to witness the hope of the Gospel in their daily lives and make the church a model of reconciliation for the entire continent.
Nov. 19, 2011

Pope asks African Catholics to be 'apostles of reconciliation' In a wide-ranging document on the church's future in Africa, Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics to become "apostles of reconciliation, justice and peace" across the troubled continent.
Nov. 18, 2011

In Benin, pope urges Africa to uphold values of family, human dignity Arriving in Benin for a three-day visit, Pope Benedict XVI urged the African continent to protect its ancient values in the face of spiritual and ethical erosion.
Nov. 17, 2011

Vatican financial document took complex route to delivery Speculation that the authors of a Vatican document on the global economy had done an "en run" to avoid the pre-publication scrutiny of top Vatican officials turned out not to be true, but the episode illustrated that the editing and approval procedures at the Vatican are less than transparent and far from uniform.
Nov. 17, 2011

Jesuit journal urges measure to make Internet accessible, democratic With repressive regimes restricting access to information and communications, democratic governments should work to guarantee access to the Internet and adopt general principles to ensure network use respects universal human rights, said an editorial in La Civilta Cattolica, a Jesuit journal reviewed by the Vatican before publication.
Nov. 16, 2011

Benetton removes image of pope kissing Muslim leader Hours after the Vatican condemned an Italian ad campaign that depicted Pope Benedict XVI kissing a Muslim leader, the Italian fashion house Benetton withdrew the photo.
Nov. 16, 2011

French-based Catholic movement says founder was sex abuser A Catholic movement based in France has acknowledged with "humility and repentance" tha acts of sexual abuse were committed by its founder and other important members of the organization.
Nov. 16, 2011

Belief in Resurrection means belief in final victory of love, pope says Believing in Christ's resurrection means that no matter how difficult life gets, one believes that love and goodness are far more powerful than hatred and evil, Pope Benedict XVI saida

his weekly general audience.

Nov. 15, 2011

Vatican official calls humanitarian laws essential for civilian safety To protect innocent civilians from the harmful effects of weapons of war, "international humanitarian law remains an essential safety measure not to be weakened," a Vatican official said.
Nov. 14, 2011

Pope asks for prayers for Benin trip The pope, addressing pilgrims at his noon blessing Nov. 13, said he was traveling to Benin "in order to strengthen the faith and hope of Christians in Africa."
Nov. 14, 2011

Pope set to light world's largest Christmas tree using iPad With a tap on an iPad, Pope Benedict XVI will light the world's largest electronic Christmas tree in the Italian town of Gubbio without having to leave his home in Vatican City.
Nov. 14, 2011

Embryos cannot be destroyed even for important research, says pope The church's opposition to the use and destruction of embryos flows from the conviction tha all human life is sacred and that destroying the most defenseless will never lead to a true benefit for humanity, the pope said.
Nov. 11, 2011

Christian volunteers are signs of God's love, pope says Especially at a time of serious economic crisis, moral uncertainty and social tension, Christian volunteers show "that goodness exists and that it is growing in our midst," the pope said Nov. 11 in a speech to participants at a Vatican meeting on Catholic volunteer activity in Europe.
Nov. 10, 2011

Pope, Israeli religious leaders see need for courage in peacemaking Dialogue is essential for religious leaders in the Holy Land, "a place full of memories sacred to our traditions," but a place that each day faces challenges to living together in harmony, Pope Benedict XVI told religious leaders from Israel.
Nov. 9, 2011

2012 papal trip to Mexico, Cuba being studied seriously, spokesman says Vatican officials are at an advanced stage in studying the possibility of a papal trip to Mexico and Cuba in the spring of 2012, the Vatican spokesman said.
Nov. 9, 2011

In Benin, pope to outline church's pastoral direction in Africa Pope Benedict XVI is making his second trip as pope to Africa in mid-November, spending three days in Benin and presenting an important document on the future of the church on the continent.
Nov. 9, 2011

New England bishops end 'ad limina' with Mass at Pope John Paul's tomb Ending their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican, the bishops of New England concelebrated Mass at the tomb of Blessed John Paul II, the pope who named most of them bishops.
Nov. 9, 2011

At audience, pope appeals for victims of flooding around world Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers for victims of recent flooding in Central America, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world and urged people to be generous in helping those suffering the effects of natural disasters.

Nov. 9, 2011

First US 'ad limina' visits highlight religious freedom, evangelization Eighteen bishops from New England met with Pope Benedict XVI and top officials of 12 majo Roman Curia agencies Nov. 3-9. It was the first of 15 U.S. groups making "ad limina" visits over the next several months, and the bishops said some particular questions and challenge surfaced quickly in the talks.
Nov. 8, 2011

Vatican partners with company to discuss stem-cell research New biotechnologies raise questions in the fields of medicine, economics, ethics and philosophy, and the Vatican plans to look at all of them during a three-day conference devoted to adult stem-cell research, officials said.
Nov. 8, 2011

Pope says prostitution, pornography threaten human dignity of women Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to prostitution and pornography, saying the practices denigrate women and represent "a serious lack of humanity."
Nov. 7, 2011

Pope condemns violence in Nigeria, prays for victims The pope made the comments at his noon blessing Nov. 6, two days after attacks in Nigeria's northeastern states of Yobe and Borno left more than 100 people dead.
Nov. 7, 2011

Pope urges Germany to defend all human life After the Nazi atrocities of World War II, Germany's new constitution recognized the dignity of each human being, a value that is starting to be questioned in the country, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Nov. 4, 2011

Bishops from northeastern US begin 'ad limina' visits with prayer The first group of U.S. bishops visiting the Vatican to report on their dioceses prayed at th chapel near the tomb of St. Peter.
Nov. 3, 2011

Accountability critical for sex abuse prevention, says Vatican official Child abuse prevention policies will never work without accountability and an unwavering commitment to children's welfare, said the Vatican's top investigator of clerical sex abuse.
Nov. 3, 2011

Mission to the Vatican: Diplomats find unique challenges at Holy See Ambassadors to the Holy See resident in Rome are a relatively small group of women and men with backgrounds ranging from professional diplomacy and politics to medicine and even theology -- Catholic, Orthodox or Islamic.
Nov. 3, 2011

Traditionalist says group rejects Vatican doctrinal conditions The consensus among leaders of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X is that a "doctrinal preamble" presented by the Vatican is "clearly unacceptable," according to the district superior of the society in Britain.
Nov. 2, 2011

Birth of 7 billionth baby is challenge to help all, newspaper says The challenge posed to the world by the birth of its 7 billionth inhabitant isn't how to stop population growth, but to find ways to ensure the continued growth can benefit all humanity said an article in the Vatican newspaper.

Nov. 2, 2011

Physicists, cosmologists meet at Vatican to discuss nature of universe World-renown physicists, who study everything from imperceptible particles to the expanding cosmos, came together for a Vatican-sponsored conference on the "new frontier of physics" -- the sub-nuclear world of electrons, hadrons and neutrinos.
Nov. 2, 2011

At audience, pope prays G-20 summit will help world's poor Pope Benedict XVI prayed that a summit of the leaders of countries with the world's largest economies would find ways to overcome the current economic crisis and promote real development.
Nov. 1, 2011

All Saints' Day calls for focus on holy vocation of church, pope says The feast of All Saints calls on Catholics to see the church as the communion of saints -- as Christ meant it to be -- and not to focus on it as an earthly institution with members who sometimes sin, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Oct. 31, 2011

Religion is part of holistic education of children, pope says A holistic education of children and young people must include religious education in accordance with the wishes of the children's parents, Pope Benedict XVI told Brazil's new ambassador to the Vatican.
Oct. 31, 2011

Pope says Angolans must resist customs that contradict Gospel Angolan Catholics must resist customs in their country that go against the Gospel, including the practice of cohabitation without marriage, shunning or even killing children and old people accused of being witches, and divisions based on tribal origin, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Oct. 28, 2011

'Ad limina': US bishops set to begin round of consultations in Rome U.S. bishops are preparing to make their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican, an intense series of encounters that will bring many of them face-to-face with Pope Benedict XVI for the first time.
Oct. 28, 2011

Pope says Assisi participants represent all who work for peace Thanking the 300 delegates who joined him for a peace pilgrimage to Assisi, Pope Benedict XVI said they represent billions of people -- believers and nonbelievers -- committed to making the world a better place.
Oct. 27, 2011

Among Assisi participants, a sense of deeper crisis in modern society A common thread ran through many of the speeches and invocations of this year's "prayer for peace" encounter in Assisi: the uneasy sense that the world is facing not merely conflicts and wars, but a much broader crisis that affects social and cultural life in every country.
Oct. 26, 2011

At Assisi interfaith encounter, a nonbeliever gets a hearing It isn't every day that the Vatican shares the papal stage with a nonbeliever. Then again, Julia Kristeva was no flame-throwing atheist. Some sentences of her speech could have bee lifted from a papal discourse
Oct. 26, 2011

Believers must oppose violence to promote peace, true faith, pope says Taking 300 religious leaders with him on pilgrimage to Assisi, Pope Benedict XVI said people

who are suspicious of religion cannot be blamed for questioning God's existence when they see believers use religion to justify violence.
Oct. 26, 2011

Pope offers prayers for quake victims; agencies send aid to Turkey Pope Benedict XVI offered prayers for the victims of Turkey's magnitude 7.2 earthquake as Catholic aid agencies worked to support the tens of thousands of victims left homeless in temperatures that approached freezing each night.
Oct. 26, 2011

Pope prays Assisi pilgrimage will foster dialogue, peace Pope Benedict XVI prayed that his interreligious pilgrimage to Assisi would promote dialogue among believers of different faiths and help the world move toward peace and reconciliation
Oct. 25, 2011

Pope calls on Christians to offer prayers, help to world's migrants Christians need to offer migrants special care, ranging from prayer and concrete aid to promoting policies that uphold immigrants' rights and dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said in a message for the World Day for Migrants and Refugees.
Oct. 24, 2011

Rome celebrates Blessed John Paul feast day; sainthood cause proceeds Thousands of Catholics in Rome celebrated the first feast of Blessed John Paul II Oct. 22 and the promoter of his sainthood cause said he has received several reports of healings that could be the miracle needed for the late pope's canonization.
Oct. 24, 2011

Pope proclaims three saints, calls them models of Christian charity All three founded religious orders in the 19th century, working in missionary areas and on behalf of society's disadvantaged in Europe. The canonizations took place on World Mission Sunday, and the pope said their witness showed that love is at the center of the missionary task.
Oct. 24, 2011

Vatican document calls for global authority to regulate markets A Vatican document called for the gradual creation of a world political authority with broad powers to regulate financial markets and rein in the "inequalities and distortions of capitalist development."
Oct. 21, 2011

Church unity motivated papal action against bishop, Australians say Pope Benedict XVI's decision to remove an Australian bishop from office last May was aimed at preserving the unity of the church, the country's bishops said in a statement after meeting the pope and Vatican officials.
Oct. 21, 2011

Pope praises efforts to reduce drug abuse, prostitution in Netherlands Pope Benedict XVI praised efforts by the Dutch government to reduce drug abuse and prostitution, measures hotly debated in the Netherlands where broad personal freedoms have made some cities, particularly Amsterdam, famous for red-light districts and coffee shops selling marijuana.
Oct. 21, 2011

'Ad limina' change means not all bishops meet privately with pope In a quiet modification of a traditional format, the Vatican has dropped most of the individua private meetings between Pope Benedict XVI and bishops making their "ad limina" visits to Rome.

Oct. 20, 2011

Vatican: Gadhafi's death marks end of 'harsh and oppressive regime' The Vatican said the death of Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi marked the end of a "harsh and oppressive regime" that was based on power instead of human dignity.
Oct. 20, 2011

New Mass translation can help Catholics pray better, pope says The new English translation of the Mass is the result of a long process of international cooperation and is meant to help Catholics pray better, Pope Benedict XVI told Australia's bishops.
Oct. 20, 2011

Vatican: Gadhafi's death marks end of 'harsh and oppressive regime' The Vatican said the death of Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi marked the end of a "harsh and oppressive regime" that was based on power instead of human dignity.
Oct. 20, 2011

Vatican official urges Hindus, Christians to promote religious freedom The comments came in an annual message to mark the Hindu celebration of Diwali, a threeday religious festival that was to begin Oct. 26 in most parts of the world.
Oct. 20, 2011

Jewish leaders denounce traditionalist's remarks on 'deicide' Jewish groups have called on the Vatican to suspend reconciliation talks with a traditionalist group after one of its bishops argued that the Jewish people were responsible for the death of Jesus.
Oct. 19, 2011

Pope inaugurates Australian pilgrim center in Rome Blessing Australian Catholics' new pilgrim center in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI said all Catholics should feel at home in the Eternal City and should return home renewed in their faith.
Oct. 19, 2011

Knowing God's love never ends pulls people out of despair, pope says It's important to remember all of God's gifts to humanity -- from creating the earth to giving humanity his only son -- because it is that very recollection of his generosity that "becomes the strength of hope," he said during his weekly general audience Oct. 19.
Oct. 19, 2011

Vatican to issue document on global financial reform The Vatican said the document would address "reform of the international financial system with a view toward a general public authority."
Oct. 19, 2011

Pope names Archbishop Vigano new nuncio to the U.S. Just minutes after his assignment was announced Oct. 19, Archbishop Vigano told Catholic News Service he hoped to get to the United States in time for the U.S. bishops' general assembly Nov. 14-16.
Oct. 18, 2011

Cardinal says Assisi will feature joint pilgrimage, not joint prayer More than 300 delegates from dozens of Christian churches, the world's major religions and nonbelievers will join Pope Benedict XVI in Assisi Oct. 27 for a peace gathering focused mor on common pilgrimage than on prayer, a Vatican official said.
Oct. 18, 2011

Australian bishops meet Vatican officials to discuss removed colleague

Australian bishops had a special meeting with top Vatican officials in mid-October to discuss the case of a bishop Pope Benedict XVI removed from office after years of tension with a variety of Vatican offices.
Oct. 17, 2011

Pope announces 'Year of Faith' to help renew missionary energy Pope Benedict XVI announced a special "Year of Faith" to help Catholics appreciate the gift o faith, deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their commitment to sharing faith with others.
Oct. 17, 2011

Freedom from hunger is essential part of right to life, pope says The hunger crisis that affects millions of people today is a sign of the deep gulf between the haves and the have-nots of the world and calls for changes in lifestyle and in global economic mechanisms, the pope said in a message marking World Food Day Oct. 16.
Oct. 17, 2011

For processions, pope adopts wheeled platform used by predecessor Pope Benedict XVI has begun using a wheeled platform to move through crowds at major events, a change the Vatican said was designed to reduce the physical toll on the 84-yearold pontiff.
Oct. 14, 2011

Assisi III: Pope puts his own mark on prayer summit's third edition Slowly and carefully, the Vatican is setting the stage for the third edition of the interreligious "prayer for peace" encounter in the Italian pilgrimage town of Assisi.
Oct. 14, 2011

Pope calls on Italian officials to govern with dignity, responsibility In the midst of major economic problems and continuing moral scandals, Italy's prime minister was facing a confidence vote in parliament as Pope Benedict XVI called on Italian public officials to exercise their offices with dignity and responsibility.
Oct. 13, 2011

Pope tells Honduran leader he's happy political situation is stabilized In a meeting with Honduras' first president elected after a 2009 military coup, Pope Benedic XVI said he was pleased that the Central American nation had found stability.
Oct. 12, 2011

Pope, at audience, condemns attack on Christians in Egypt Condemning an attack on unarmed Christians in Egypt, Pope Benedict XVI said that during the country's transition to democracy, all of its citizens and institutions must work to guarantee the rights of minorities.
Oct. 11, 2011

Zenit editors resign over differences with Legionaries of Christ Their departure follows the resignation in late September of Zenit's director, Jesus Colina. Colina, who founded Zenit in 1997 and helped build it into an agency with about 450,000 email subscribers, said he was forced out because he resisted pressures to identify the agency and its work more closely with the Legionaries order.
Oct. 11, 2011

Italian abuse victim asks to meet pope, wants norms applied Francesco Zanardi walked almost 350 miles to deliver a letter asking Pope Benedict XVI to meet Italian victims of clerical abuse and to work harder to ensure bishops around the world follow Vatican norms for dealing with accusations of abuse.
Oct. 10, 2011

Pope: Silence, solitude needed in 'agitated, sometimes frantic' world Endless news, noise and crowds have made people afraid of silence and solitude, which are essential for finding God's love and love for others, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Oct. 7, 2011

Pope meets Latin American bishops; new website about to debut Pope Benedict XVI met with the top officers and staff members of the Latin American bishops' council who were in Rome to discuss pastoral initiatives.
Oct. 6, 2011

Keeping it real: Preserving native art requires respect for cultures CT scans, neutron particle accelerators and other high-tech tools as well as traditional techniques are being used to restore ceremonial and sacred objects.
Oct. 6, 2011

Late Apple co-founder knew the value of communication, Jesuit says Like Pope Pius XI, who founded Vatican Radio and built the Vatican train station, Apple cofounder Steve Jobs recognized the importance of expanding communication, said an influential Jesuit.
Oct. 5, 2011

God will guide, protect those who follow him, pope says at audience With an estimated 20,000 people gathered in St. Peters Square, the pope continued a serie of talks about praying with the Psalms, focusing on Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack."
Oct. 4, 2011

Vatican newspaper criticizes BBC change to 'common era' dating The Vatican newspaper said it was "historically senseless hypocrisy" for the BBC to drop the dating abbreviations B.C. and A.D. on the grounds that they might offend non-Christians.
Oct. 4, 2011

Healing of US man key to Italian priest's canonization Thanks to the healing of a young man from the United States, who was severely injured in a rollerblading accident, Italian Blessed Louis Guanella will be among three new saints proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI in late October.
Oct. 3, 2011

From birth to death, everyone has guardian angel, pope says Guardian angels exist to protect every human life from its beginning to end, Pope Benedict XVI said on feast of the Guardian Angels.
Sept. 30, 2011

Dead wrong: Catholics must no longer support capital punishment The Catholic Church's position on capital punishment has evolved considerably over the centuries. And as a result, "it is not a message that is immediately understood -- that there is no room for supporting the death penalty in today's world," said a Vatican's expert on capital punishment and arms control.
Sept. 29, 2011

Shhh: Pope asks communicators to reflect on value of silence Announcing that the pope had chosen "Silence and Word: Path of Evangelization" as the theme for World Communications Day 2012, the Vatican acknowledged it initially might appear strange to ask professional wordsmiths to focus on silence, but it said silence is essential for really processing the words people hear or read.
Sept. 29, 2011

Zenit director resigns, citing differences with Legionaries of Christ

The founder and editorial director of the Catholic news agency Zenit has resigned, citing problems of trust and transparency with Zenit's sponsoring organization, the Legionaries of Christ.
Sept. 28, 2011

Pope to visit Benin Nov. 18-20 to release postsynod document on Africa Pope Benedict XVI will make his second trip as pope to Africa, visiting Benin Nov. 18-20 to sign and distribute a letter reflecting on the 2009 special Synod of Bishops for Africa.
Sept. 28, 2011

Pope reviews trip to Germany, says it was 'festival of faith' Pope Benedict XVI, at his weekly general audience, said he was happy to see that "the faith in my German homeland has a young face, is alive and has a future."
Sept. 28, 2011

Vatican calls for 'courageous' decisions on Palestinians Addressing the United Nations, a Vatican representative called for "courageous decisions" toward the two-state solution for the Holy Land after Palestinian leaders requested full U.N. membership for the Palestinian state.
Sept. 27, 2011

Abuse in Ireland amounted to torture, human rights group says The abuse of children in Irish institutions amounted to torture and represents an enormous human rights failure, Amnesty International Ireland said.
Sept. 27, 2011

Church leaders step up criticism of Berlusconi The head of the Italian bishops' conference condemned the "licentious behavior and improper relations" of Italy's political class, in what was seen as the strongest church criticism to date of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Sept. 26, 2011

US cardinal helped finalize pope's visit with Vietnam's president Cardinal Bernard F. Law helped finalize plans for the first ever meeting of a president of communist Vietnam with a pope, according to a U.S. government cable appearing on the WikiLeaks website.
Sept. 26, 2011

Church must move closer to Gospel, not to worldly values, pope says The church must change to respond to the Gospel call and the needs of real people, but tha change must be dictated by Christian values and not by greater adaptation to the values of the modern world, Pope Benedict XVI told about 1,500 German Catholics involved in church ministries, lay movements and civic, political or social activities.
Sept. 26, 2011

Trip analysis: In pope's Germany, a test case for 'new evangelization' Pope Benedict XVI's four-day visit to Germany highlighted two closely connected challenges for the church: how to re-evangelize traditionally Christian countries in the West, and how t regain a credible voice in modern society.
Sept. 25, 2011

Trip roundup: In Germany, pope says godlessness poses new risks for society On a four-day visit to Germany, Pope Benedict XVI warned that godlessness and religious indifference were undermining the moral foundations of society and leaving its weakest members exposed to new risks.
Sept. 25, 2011

Pope says 'we are church,' but only when united, faithful to tradition

Meeting seminarians in Freiburg, Pope Benedict XVI made a rare, direct comment about a group seeking major changes in church practice and discipline.
Sept. 24, 2011

Catholics, Lutherans unite in prayer, but differences don't disappear Divided Christians can celebrate their common faith in Christ with beautiful prayer services, but that does not mean they leave aside all their differences.
Sept. 23, 2011

In centuries-old buildings, some Vatican workers have techie paradise Looking at the centuries-old buildings and palaces, not many people would know that the Vatican has become a techie paradise, a wonderland of modern equipment and know-how.
Sept. 23, 2011

Pope meets with clerical sex abuse victims in Germany Pope Benedict XVI met with five victims of clerical sexual abuse in Germany, expressing his deep regret and the church's commitment to preventing such crimes in the future.
Sept. 23, 2011

In Germany, pope makes pilgrimage to a community that kept the faith The Marian sanctuary of Etzelsbach does not show up on most maps of Germany. But for Pope Benedict XVI, the tiny shrine looms large on the country's religious landscape.
Sept. 23, 2011

In land of Martin Luther, pope prays for Christian unity Visiting the land of Martin Luther, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for Christian unity and told Lutheran leaders that both secularization and Christian fundamentalism pose challenges to ecumenism today.
Sept. 23, 2011

Catholics, Muslims can work together to build better world, pope says Believers in God have a contribution to make toward building a better world marked by respect for each human being, Pope Benedict XVI told representatives of Germany's Muslim communities.
Sept. 22, 2011

Church is more than failings of its members, pope tells Germans Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass in Berlin's Olympic Stadium and appealed for a better understanding of the church, one that goes beyond current controversies and the failings of its members.
Sept. 22, 2011

Pope says Catholic-Jewish dialogue important for society The Nazi "reign of terror" clearly demonstrated the depths of evil that men are capable of when they deny God and the dignity of all people he created, Pope Benedict XVI told leaders of Germany's Jewish community.
Sept. 22, 2011

Arriving in Germany, pope warns against religious indifference Arriving in Germany for a four-day visit, Pope Benedict XVI warned that growing indifference to religious values was threatening true freedom and replacing it with a purely individualistic culture.
Sept. 21, 2011

Pope to waken Germans to importance of faith, archbishop says With 17 speeches and even more meetings scheduled over four days, "the program may be too much for an 84-year-old man, but he is ready for the challenge," said the president of the German bishops' conference.

Sept. 21, 2011

Pope keeps retiring cardinal on as papal delegate to Legionaries Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Italian Cardinal Velasio De Paolis as head of the Vatican's economic affairs office but is keeping him on for the time being as papal delegate to the Legionaries of Christ.
Sept. 20, 2011

Group asks church employees to submit evidence of abuse to court A sex abuse victims' advocacy group and a human rights' organization called on all current and past Vatican and church employees to send any information about the clerical abuse of minors to the International Criminal Court.
Sept. 19, 2011

Pope meets astronauts from Endeavour, space station Pope Benedict XVI, who spoke to a group of astronauts when they were in outer space, had a close encounter with them back on Earth.
Sept. 19, 2011

Pope says German trip will focus on rediscovering God's presence The pope made the remarks in a videotaped message broadcast Sept. 17 by the German state television network. A transcript was made public by the Vatican.
Sept. 16, 2011

Knights of Holy Sepulcher welcome Archbishop O'Brien in ceremony The assessor of the chivalric organization placed a gold chain and pendant around Archbishop O'Brien's neck and told him his new role "is like a chain that ties him to the Holy Land" and to the knightly order of the Holy Sepulcher.
Sept. 16, 2011

Church and state: Why can't they be friends? Pope Benedict XVI has made the dangers of secularism a major theme of his pontificate. An it's a battle both sides take seriously.
Sept. 15, 2011

Media send unhealthy messages to women, says Catholic talk show host A new book by a Catholic talk show host looks at how media and culture are sending unhealthy messages to women and how the church can fill the emotional and spiritual void left behind.
Sept. 15, 2011

New minibus service allows pilgrims to visit Vatican Gardens Visitors and pilgrims wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of modern Rome or the crush of tourists in the Vatican museums can now take a ride through the Vatican Gardens.
Sept. 15, 2011

Bishops must help Catholics use gifts for good of church, pope says A bishop must help Catholics in his diocese learn to recognize the gifts the Holy Spirit has given them and place them at the service of the entire church, Pope Benedict XVI told new bishops.
Sept. 14, 2011

Prayer means crying out to God with trust, pope says at audience Holding his weekly general audience Sept. 14 in the Vatican audience hall, Pope Benedict continued teaching about prayer and used Psalm 22, "one of the most prayed and studied psalms," as an example of how to cry out to the Lord from a basic position of trust.
Sept. 13, 2011

Abuse victims seek investigation of pope, top Vatican officials Several victims of clerical sexual abuse, a U.S.-based organization for survivors and a U.S.based human rights organization formally asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Pope Benedict XVI and other top Vatican officials on charges they bear a responsibility for the abuse of children by Catholic priests around the world.
Sept. 12, 2011

Pope, religious leaders in Europe mark 9/11 anniversary Remembering the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Pope Benedict XVI appealed to government leaders and all people of good will to work toward a future marked by solidarity and peace.
Sept. 12, 2011

Pope travels to Ancona, urges life centered on eucharistic spirituality A religious life centered on and nourished by the Eucharist should lead to a life marked by gratitude for Christ's sacrifice, a commitment to self-giving and real unity within the church and the community, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Sept. 9, 2011

In his homeland, pope to face growing secularism, some protests After interviewing key Germans involved in planning the upcoming papal trip, Vatican Radio's German program in early September said there's a bit of a sense that the pope and Germans are strangers to each other.
Sept. 9, 2011

Promoting moral values leads to social peace, pope tells ambassador When public policies do not promote values such as justice, fairness and compassion, the resulting void has the potential of giving rise to frustration and despair that can explode, Pope Benedict XVI told Great Britain's new ambassador to the Holy See.
Sept. 8, 2011

Hotline to heaven: how relics connect people to community of saints A saint's lock of hair, bone shards, a vial of blood, even a severed hand whose discolored fingers curl in a macabre way are venerated by many members of the Catholic Church. Others may just get the heebie-jeebies and wonder why holy people's body parts are even put on display.
Sept. 8, 2011

Church must teach truth, values that save souls, the world, pope says Catholic schools and institutions need to be "genuinely Catholic" and pass on the values that support communities and the truth that saves souls, Pope Benedict told a group of bishops from India.
Sept. 7, 2011

Post-9/11 world needs religion to be weapon of peace, spokesman says If humanity wants to build peace out of the ruins of Sept. 11, 2001, religion has to play a major role in dialogue, said the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.
Sept. 7, 2011

Crying out to God is sign of faith, pope says at audience A central tenet of faith is believing that the loving God is always close to his creatures and ready to reach out and save them, the pope said Sept. 7 during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Sept. 6, 2011

Staunch supporter of world's media, Cardinal Deskur, dies at 87 Pope Benedict XVI mourned the death of Polish Cardinal Andrzej Deskur, a longtime promoter of media and communications and close friend of Blessed John Paul II.

Sept. 6, 2011

Austrian cardinal continues dialogue with priests calling for reforms Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna is not playing "a game of chicken" with priests calling for reforms in church practice, but is interested in getting the priests to work with him to bring new life to Viennese parishes, his spokesman said.
Sept. 3, 2011

Vatican responds to Irish government report on clerical sexual abuse The Vatican forcefully denied it undermined the Irish bishops' efforts to protect children from sexual abuse and characterized as "unfounded" claims the Vatican tried to interfere in government investigations regarding church handling of sex abuse cases.
Sept. 2, 2011

Papal table features produce from pope's farm at Castel Gandolfo On any given day, the papal table may feature extra-virgin olive oil, lightly pasteurized milk fresh eggs, free-range chicken, honey, apricots and peaches -- all straight from the farm at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo.
Sept. 2, 2011

Catholics, Orthodox face same evangelization challenge, pope says In many countries, Catholics and Orthodox face the same challenges in strengthening Christian life, and an important part of that effort is working together with love and respect, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Sept. 1, 2011

The Vatican and 9/11: Commitment to dialogue, cooperation set the tone The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States horrified the pope and Vatican officials, who unequivocally condemned terrorism and offered prayers for the dead, the survivors and the rescue workers.
Sept. 1, 2011

Shots fired at car of Mafia-fighting priest in Italy A southern Italian priest who is outspoken against the Mafia said gunshots fired at his car were likely meant to show him and the public that members of organized crime are still in charge of the area.
Aug. 31, 2011

Beautiful art is an open doorway to God, pope says at audience Appreciating beautiful works of art is not just for cultural enrichment, it's also an important way to experience God and become aware of the human thirst for the infinite, Pope Benedic XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Aug. 30, 2011

Nuncio praises Turkish decision to return some religious properties The Turkish prime minister's announcement that the government will return hundreds of properties confiscated from non-Muslim religious groups or compensate the groups for properties sold to third parties is "a historic decision," said the Vatican nuncio to Turkey.
Aug. 29, 2011

Cradle Catholics haven't done enough to evangelize, pope says Cradle Catholics haven't done enough to show people that God exists and can bring true fulfillment to everyone, Pope Benedict XVI told a group of his former students.
Aug. 25, 2011

Middle East Christians must be courageous, open, says Franciscan custos Christians in the Middle East should not live in fear of the changes happening across the region but should act with courage to denounce situations of injustice and with a Christian

attitude of willingness to dialogue, said the head of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land
Aug. 24, 2011

'Spiritual Communion': Youths learn a traditional concept the hard way More than a million young Catholics, denied the chance to receive the Eucharist at the closing Mass for World Youth Day, learned the hard way about a venerable Catholic tradition: "spiritual Communion" or the "Communion of desire."
Aug. 24, 2011

At audience, pope announces themes for coming WYD celebrations After reviewing his trip to Madrid for World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI announced the themes he has chosen to guide the reflections of young Catholics next year on a diocesan level and in Rio de Janeiro in 2013.
Aug. 23, 2011

Traditionalist leader is called to attend talks with Vatican officials The Vatican confirmed Aug. 23 that Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the Society o St. Pius X, will travel to Rome in mid-September to meet with U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, the head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Aug. 21, 2011

Pope ends World Youth Day trip with many words of thanks Pope Benedict XVI said he was leaving Madrid filled with gratitude to the Spanish people, th World Youth Day organizers and volunteers and the million-plus pilgrims who prayed with him.
Aug. 21, 2011

Pope tells young to build on their faith, share it with the world Even if it feels like a struggle at times, faith is not primarily about people working out their thoughts about God; it starts with the gift of God's love and God's reaching out to each person, he said.
Aug. 21, 2011

At Mass with seminarians, pope says he'll proclaim new doctor of church Telling seminarians they must prepare seriously for the priesthood by devoting themselves to becoming saints, Pope Benedict XVI gave them a role model: St. John of Avila, who will become the Catholic Church's 34th doctor of the church.
Aug. 19, 2011

Mood changes as pope, young people reflect on suffering in Way of Cross The mood at World Youth Day changed dramatically late Aug. 19 as Pope Benedict XVI and hundreds of thousands of young people turned their thoughts to suffering.
Aug. 19, 2011

Eating with pope is a permanent memory; the menu, not so much Lunch with Pope Benedict XVI was an unforgettable experience for 12 young people at World Youth Day. Just don't ask them what they ate.
Aug. 19, 2011

Vatican urges Muslims, Catholics to promote spirituality As Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the end of their monthlong Ramadan fast Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran encouraged Catholics and Muslims to work together to promote spirituality.
Aug. 19, 2011

Let's see some ID: New evangelization office targets Catholic identity The head of the new office says it is easier to proclaim Christ to those who have never heard of him but much more difficult to evangelize those who presume to have the faith or who

have left.
Aug. 19, 2011

Pope offers challenges to young professors, young religious Pope Benedict XVI's meetings with young religious women and young university professors, held in the same complex, had very different tones.
Aug. 18, 2011

Youths welcome pope to WYD; he asks them to think about faith Formally welcomed to World Youth Day by a boisterous, flag-waving throng of hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged their enthusiasm but also urged them to be strong, solid and think about their faith.
Aug. 18, 2011

Pope says listening to, praying with young is a great joy "I have come here to meet thousands of young people from all over the world, Catholics committed to Christ, searching for the truth that will give real meaning to their existence," the pope told King Juan Carlos Aug. 18 at Madrid's Barajas airport.
Aug. 18, 2011

On plane to Madrid, pope says WYD refreshes, strengthens the young Pope Benedict XVI described the World Youth Day celebrations as a "waterfall of light" that refreshes, nourishes and strengthens young Catholics and, therefore, can bring hope to the world.
Aug. 16, 2011

Vatican publishes documents related to Oregon sex abuse cases The Vatican published online more than 70 pages of documents which, it said, prove the Vatican had no knowledge of a priest's sexual misconduct until he and his religious order petitioned for his laicization.
Aug. 16, 2011

Stop, listen, reflect on what God is trying to tell you, pope says Most people don't leave any time in their day to stop, listen and reflect on what God is doing and saying in their lives, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Aug. 15, 2011

Earthly affairs can wait; things of God demand action now, pope says God's words and his will are the only things "that are truly urgent for our lives," the pope said, celebrating an early morning Mass Aug. 15, the feast of the Assumption of Mary.
Aug. 12, 2011

WYD and vocations: Young want to be heard, invited, challenged While the Catholic Church seeks to help earthlings reach their true home in heaven, too often it treats its younger members as if they were from another planet, a top Vatican official said.
Aug. 12, 2011

Some may protest, but young will welcome pope in Spain, spokesman says Protests planned against Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Madrid Aug. 18-21 are "not worrying o surprising" to the Vatican, particularly because "there are hundreds of thousands of young people who will be happy to welcome the pope," the Vatican spokesman said.
Aug. 11, 2011

Vatican announces indulgences for World Youth Day To help encourage prayers for a spiritually fruitful World Youth Day in Madrid, the Vatican announced Aug. 11 that Pope Benedict XVI had authorized a special indulgence for anyone who, "with a contrite spirit," raises a "prayer to God, the Holy Spirit, so that young people

are drawn to charity and given the strength to proclaim the Gospel with their life," a Vatican decree said.
Aug. 10, 2011

Vatican aims to regain trust of U.S. religious women, official says In the final stage of the apostolic visitation of U.S. women's religious communities, the Vatican congregation overseeing the study not only is facing mountains of paper, but must try to rebuild a relationship of trust with the women, said the congregation's secretary.
Aug. 10, 2011

Silence is needed to hear God speak, pope says Getting off the grid and leaving behind the city is a great way to bring some much-needed silence to one's life, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
Aug. 9, 2011

Mass translations are a challenge in every language, official says In Italian the verbs "to translate" and "to betray" sound very similar and have given birth to the adage, "To translate is to betray."
Aug. 9, 2011

Knights, Sisters of Life host WYD center for English speakers Madrid's Palacio de Deportes (sports palace) will be converted into the Love and Life Center during WYD Aug. 16-21.
Aug. 8, 2011

At Angelus, pope calls for prayers for Syria, Libya Pope Benedict XVI appealed for reconciliation and respect for human rights in Syria and Libya where the governments have used force to try to end pro-democracy protests.
Aug. 5, 2011

High noon: How the sun and moon guided prayer times and liturgy Hidden among the paving stones of St. Peter's Square there is a simple clock and calendar. All you need is a sunny day.
Aug. 5, 2011

Cardinal Law celebrates snowy Mass marking dedication of St. Mary Major White flower petals fell from the ceiling of Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major as Romans and pilgrims joined Cardinal Bernard F. Law, archpriest of the basilica, for Mass marking the church's dedication.
Aug. 3, 2011

Maltese archbishop apologizes for delayed abuse investigation The day after two religious order priests were found guilty of sexually abusing children in Malta, the country's archbishop apologized to the victims and for the church's delay in investigating the allegations.
Aug. 3, 2011

Summer novels are fine, but pick up the Bible, too, pope says While there's nothing wrong with a bit of light reading in the summer, reading a book or two of the Bible also can be a relaxing -- as well as enlightening -- vacation activity, Pope Benedict XVI said.
Aug. 2, 2011

At funeral, Vatican official says nuncio was to get Vatican post At the end of the funeral for Italian Archbishop Pietro Sambi, a Vatican official confirmed tha Pope Benedict XVI had been planning to bring the archbishop back to Rome to take up an important post at the Vatican.

Aug. 2, 2011

Attackers plant car bombs in front of churches in Kirkuk, Iraq The early morning attack Aug. 2 was the first time the Holy Family Syrian Catholic church had been a target, Vatican Radio said.
Aug. 2, 2011

Pope intervenes in property dispute between monks, Croatian diocese Pope Benedict XVI has intervened to settle a property dispute between a Croatian diocese and an Italian Benedictine community in a case that also has created diplomatic tensions between the Vatican and Croatia.
Aug. 1, 2011

Pope calls for compassion, sharing with hungry of Africa Commenting on the Sunday Gospel passage July 31, the pope said it was natural to read the story of Jesus' miracle of the loaves and fishes and think of "our many brothers and sisters who, in these days, in the Horn of Africa, suffer from famine aggravated by war and the lack of solid institutions."
Aug. 1, 2011

Vatican editor says media coverage of abuse promoted purification Media coverage of the clerical sex abuse scandal helped Catholics come to terms with the need to purify and renew the church, although the coverage was not always fair, said the editor of the Vatican newspaper.
July 29, 2011

WYD pilgrims' task: Help pope revive faith in Spain Pope Benedict XVI will visit Spain in late August, celebrating the youthfulness and vigor of Catholic faith in a country where the Catholic majority often seems to have little or no impact on modern public life.
July 27, 2011

Vox Clara works on liturgical translations not included in new missal As English-speaking parishes around the world await delivery of the new translation of the Roman Missal, the Vatican's Vox Clara Committee already is at work on additional texts.
July 25, 2011

Pope decries terror attacks in Norway, calls for end to violence, evil In the wake of two terror attacks in Norway that left at least 93 people dead, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to hatred and ideologies that promote evil.
July 25, 2011

Cardinal Noe, former archpriest of St. Peter's, dies at 89 He had served as secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments and was the master of liturgical ceremonies to Popes Paul VI and Blessed John Paul II.
July 25, 2011

In aftermath of Irish report on abuse, Vatican recalls nuncio In an exceptional move, the Vatican recalled its nuncio to Ireland so that he could participat in meetings aimed at drafting the Vatican's formal response to an Irish government report on clerical sex abuse.
July 22, 2011

Pope Benedict's WYD: Space made for silence, solemnity Pope Benedict XVI has put his own stamp on the church's celebration of World Youth Day, and it's especially clear in the gathering's moments of prayer.
July 21, 2011

Papal foundation plans to expand assistance to AIDS patients

A papal foundation dedicated to AIDS patients may expand its services to include a global program of distributing anti-AIDS drugs, a Vatican official said.
July 20, 2011

Pope will have busy schedule during September trip to Germany Pope Benedict XVI will address the German parliament, meet with Jewish and Muslim groups, hold a prayer vigil with youths and celebrate Mass in Berlin's Olympic Stadium during his Sept. 22-25 visit to his homeland.
July 19, 2011

Vatican official rejects criticism in wake of Irish judicial report Press secretary says his comments to Vatican Radio do not constitute official reaction.
July 18, 2011

Vatican: Latest illicitly ordained Chinese bishop is excommunicated For the second time within two weeks, the Vatican excommunicates a Chinese bishop ordained without a papal mandate.
July 15, 2011

Archbishop urges Catholics in Tunisia to support democracy movement Tunisia's tiny Catholic community prays for the country's transition to democracy and hopes that the nation will embrace full religious freedom, said Archbishop Maroun Lahham of Tunis
July 14, 2011

Blogging for clarity: Fides launches site for Chinese Catholics Sometimes the need for delicacy in handling politically sensitive situations conflicts with the need of the faithful to have clear guidance. That's what seems to be going on with the Vatican's China policy.
July 13, 2011

Cardinal says Legionaries' reform slowed by criticism of superiors The reform of the Legionaries of Christ is being undermined by members who believe the current leadership needs to go and that more drastic measures are needed, said the cardina appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to oversee the reform.
July 12, 2011

Vatican newspaper says Harry Potter film champions values The last battle of the almost-grownup Harry Potter may be too scary for young viewers, but it champions the values of friendship and sacrifice, the Vatican newspaper said.
July 12, 2011

Austrian priests call for reforms; cardinal plans dialogue with group Austrian bishops have criticized an effort by a group of priests calling for reforms in church practice, including opening the priesthood to women and married men, but the bishops have not taken or threatened disciplinary action.
July 11, 2011

Pope meets families of piracy victims, talks about vacations Marking World Maritime Day, Pope Benedict XVI met with a dozen people who have family members being held captive by pirates. And at the end of his Angelus address he encouraged people to enjoy their summer in a way that also would help them draw closer to God.
July 8, 2011

With some writing projects planned, pope begins summer vacation Pope Benedict XVI officially began his summer vacation July 7, taking a helicopter from the Vatican to the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo, less than 15 miles south of Rome.

July 8, 2011

Pope sends delegation to South Sudan independence celebration Pope Benedict XVI named an official delegation to represent him at the July 9 independence celebrations in Southern Sudan and charged members with conveying his hopes for "peace and prosperity" to citizens of the world's newest nation.
July 7, 2011

Balancing act: Juggling demands of dialogue, proclaiming Catholic faith After Pope John Paul II invited religious leaders to Assisi in 1986 and 2002 to pray for peace then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger raised questions about the danger that people would misrea the gatherings as some kind of Vatican statement that all religions are equal. So why is another meeting planned for October?
July 7, 2011

Church-run schools need public financial support, Vatican envoy says A Vatican official praised church-run schools as valuable components of modern education, saying they deserve public financial support and must not be muzzled on moral issues.
July 6, 2011

Tourists should know inspiration behind Catholic art, Vatican says When tourists visit a Catholic church or shrine to view the art or architecture, they also should get a sense of the faith that inspired the work, the Vatican said.
July 5, 2011

In Rome, experts discuss peace-building, church's 'best-kept secret' "From South Sudan and Central America to Congo and Colombia, the Catholic Church is a powerful force for peace, freedom, justice and reconciliation. But that impressive and courageous peace-building work of the Catholic community is often unknown, unheralded and underanalyzed," said Gerard Powers of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.
July 5, 2011

Vatican says ordinations for traditionalist society 'illegitimate' The ordinations of 20 new priests for the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X are "illegitimate, period," said the Vatican spokesman.
July 5, 2011

Vatican reports budget surplus for 2010, says worldwide giving down The Vatican reported a budget surplus for the first time in four years in 2010, but said contributions from Catholics and dioceses around the world had gone down.
July 5, 2011

Vatican condemns illegitimate ordination of bishop in China The Vatican spokesman said the language of the Vatican communique left little doubt that Bishop Paul Lei Shiyin had incurred excommunication, as foreseen by canon law.
July 1, 2011

Cardinals help feed Rome's poor to mark pope's ordination anniversary Members of the College of Cardinals celebrated Pope Benedict XVI's 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination by making a personal donation to pay for a special lunch for hundreds of poor people living in Rome.
July 1, 2011

Pope says selfish economic models at root of world hunger Pope Benedict XVI said persistent world hunger was a "tragedy" driven by selfish and profitdriven economic models, whose first victims are millions of children deprived of life or good health.

July 1, 2011

Vatican newspaper is at service of truth, justice, pope says The pope praised the Vatican paper as "one of the privileged instruments at the service of the Holy See and the church," in a written message marking the paper's 150th anniversary.
July 1, 2011

Conclave conjecture: Milan appointment triggers 'papabile' speculation What distinguishes Cardinal Angelo Scola is that he is very much in line with the thinking of Pope Benedict XVI. Like the pope, he is a respected theologian who sees a crisis of values in modern society.
June 30, 2011

People can abuse reason when they demand proof from God, pope says While empirical science has done much to further progress, subjecting God and his truth to scientific scrutiny represents an incorrect and despotic use of human reason, Pope Benedict XVI said as he gave three European theologians the Ratzinger Prize for their excellence in theological studies.
June 29, 2011

Christian leaders issue recommendations for evangelizing The Vatican and other Christian representatives have issued a series of recommendations fo evangelization in multifaith societies, rejecting aggressive or coercive methods but defendin the right to profess, propagate or change one's religion.
June 29, 2011

Pope launches Vatican web portal, tweets the news His tweet -- 117 characters -- went viral, and within 24 hours http://twitter.com/news_va_en had more than 35,000 followers.
June 29, 2011

Pope marks 60 years as a priest, bestows palliums on archbishops Celebrating Mass with archbishops from 25 countries, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on his 60 years as a priest, calling it a demanding and "awe-inspiring" ministry that brought him close to God.
June 28, 2011

World Youth Day registration high; many want to volunteer Organizers of this year's World Youth Day say that the figures for registration and requests to volunteer are higher than ever and auger well for a successful and joyful gathering in Madrid in August.
June 28, 2011

Pallium represents unity, responsibility, says Los Angeles archbishop Even though it will be the second pallium Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles receives from Pope Benedict XVI, the highest-ranking Hispanic bishop in the United States said he wi still be very excited to receive the woolen band.
June 28, 2011

Vatican prepares document on clergy-laity relationship Sources denied an Italian report that the document will issue instructions on the reorganization of U.S. dioceses that face financial pressures in the wake of the sex abuse scandals -- in particular regarding parish closings.
June 27, 2011

In Spain, pope to hold nine major meetings with young people Pope Benedict XVI will preside over nine major events with young people during World Yout Day celebrations in Madrid in August, including a prayer vigil and a closing Mass expected to draw more than a million people.

June 27, 2011

Vatican to launch web portal that streamlines print, TV, online news Pope Benedict XVI himself will give a cyber spark of life to a new Internet portal that gather all Vatican news into one multimedia website, officials from the Vatican's communications office announced.
June 27, 2011

Pope says Eucharist is antidote to modern individualism Addressing pilgrims June 26 on the feast of Corpus Christi, which commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the pope said the Eucharist was like the "pulsing heart" that gives life and meaning to everything the church does.
June 24, 2011

Vatican report on child protection for UN to be ready in autumn A United Nations-mandated report on compliance with international obligations regarding th protection and rights of children will be ready for submission this autumn, a Vatican diploma said.
June 24, 2011

Nuclear physicist or priest? How one man chose God over gamma rays Raised Catholic by Jewish and Catholic parents, Msgr. Robert L. Stern loved his faith but never planned on becoming a priest.
June 23, 2011

Transformation of bread and wine like personal conversion, pope says The transformation of bread and wine into Christs body and blood is like what people undergo when they give themselves up to the love of God, Pope Benedict XVI said.
June 22, 2011

Pope says Psalms still show Christians how to speak with God Pope Benedict XVI said that the Book of Psalms from the Old Testament is a timeless and powerful "prayer book" that teaches Christians how to communicate with God.
June 21, 2011

Vatican Museums opens room for Matisse designs for French chapel After languishing in storage for more than 30 years, three giant collages and other works by French artist Henri Matisse have been given a permanent home in the Vatican Museums.
June 20, 2011

Vatican official: Sexual abuse of minor requires strong response Msgr. Charles Scicluna, promoter of justice for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said that the church must do all it can to respond to the problem and emphasize that protection of children is integral to the good of the universal church.
June 20, 2011

Hedonism clouds judgment, risks annihilating morality, pope says The pope was making a one-day visit June 19 to the Republic of San Marino, a tiny nation completely surrounded by Italy.
June 17, 2011

Vatican calls on businesses to be ethical, create economic justice The Vatican and some Catholic thinkers are urging businesses to not only employ ethical policies within their companies, but to become dedicated to bringing economic justice to the wider world.
June 17, 2011

Artists to show works inspired by Pope Benedict's 60th anniversary

Painters, sculptors, architects, musicians and poets will participate in an exhibit that will open to the public at the Vatican July 5.
June 17, 2011

On world stage and behind closed doors, Vatican works diplomatic levers Vatican City is the world's smallest state, but it's still considered a diplomatic nerve center, a place where the universal church meets global politics.
June 17, 2011

Women religious in India have valuable, often hidden role, pope says Pope Benedict XVI singled out Indian women religious to praise them for their positive role i the church in their country.
June 16, 2011

Vatican, biotech firm host congress to promote adult stem-cell therapy The Vatican will host an international congress to promote the use of adult stem cells as a safe, effective and ethical means to fight degenerative diseases. But it also will also feature speakers who support embryonic stem-cell research.
June 15, 2011

Papal mass in Berlin may move to Nazi-built stadium, organizer say So many people want to see Pope Benedict XVI celebrate Mass in Berlin in September that organizers are considering holding the event in an Olympic stadium built under Adolf Hitler, the papal trip planner said.
June 15, 2011

Pope warns of idolatry when people forget about God Pope Benedict has been using biblical stories to underscore the importance of prayer in his catecheses during his weekly general audiences.
June 14, 2011

Three European theologians to receive Ratzinger Prize from pope It's the first time the prizes will be awarded since the establishment of the Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) Vatican Foundation last year.
June 14, 2011

Evangelize with courage, conviction, joy, pope says Pope Benedict XVI said that a proper transmission of the faith to the young or the uninitiate depends on a solid grounding of the basics of Catholic formation -- baptism, first Communion and catechism.
June 13, 2011

Rome university, Vatican to promote best practices in fighting abuse A pontifical university and a number of Vatican dicasteries are offering a special symposium to help bishops around the world as they seek to comply with a recent Vatican mandate to set up guidelines for handling accusations of clerical sex abuse.
June 13, 2011

Vatican diplomat: Structural flaws of 'jobless growth' create problems While there are signs of recovery in the global economy, structural flaws in the system are preventing the creation of new jobs worldwide, said a Vatican diplomat.
June 13, 2011

Pope meets Gypsies, urges end to prejudice, oppression, rejection Europe must not forget the suffering the Gypsy people went through, he said, launching an appeal that Gypsies "may no longer ever be the object of oppression, rejection and contempt."

June 10, 2011

Vatican hopes postponed event marks end to illicit ordinations in China The Vatican said it hoped the postponement of an illicit episcopal ordination in the diocese o Hankou would mark the end to all ordinations without papal approval in China.
June 10, 2011

Vatican clarifies excommunication penalty for unauthorized ordinations The clarification, issued by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, appeared to respond to the situation of recent ordinations of bishops in China against the orders of Pope Benedict XVI.
June 10, 2011

Water fight: A new Catholic issue emerges in Italy A referendum in Italy has spotlighted an emerging social justice issue for the Catholic Church: access to safe water as a basic human right.
June 9, 2011

Pope calls for reform in Syria, promotes clean energy to protect nature The civilian unrest ripping through Syria and other Arab countries is a sign that people want a better future, Pope Benedict XVI told Syria's new ambassador to the Vatican.
June 8, 2011

Explosion damages Nigerian cathedral; extremist group blamed A Catholic cathedral in northern Nigeria was seriously damaged in an explosion caused by a bomb believed to have been set off by a group of Muslim extremists, the Vatican's missionary news agency reported.
June 8, 2011

Pope says Croatia can promote Catholic values in Europe Croatia has the responsibility to promote Christian values and the role of the family in education and social life as it prepares to enter the European Union, Pope Benedict XVI said in his first public appearance since returning from a pastoral trip to Croatian capital of Zagreb.
June 7, 2011

Vatican official says new UN protocol important tool for child rights A Vatican official encouraged passage of an international protocol that would give children a direct line of communication to local and international authorities when they are victims of violence or their rights are violated.
June 6, 2011

From sinner to saved, from Cameroon to Zagreb; two men talk of hope Among the throngs of young people attending a prayer vigil with Pope Benedict XVI was a modern-day St. Augustine and an African missionary sent by his congregation to evangelize Catholic Croatia.
June 6, 2011

First phase of apostolic visitation in Ireland concluded, Vatican says Vatican representatives have completed the first phase of an investigation of major Catholic institutions in Ireland, ordered by Pope Benedict XVI to examine the response of Irish churc authorities to the clerical sex abuse scandal.
June 6, 2011

Pope urges nations to promote moral education, protect family, life Pope Benedict XVI used his apostolic journey to the Croatian capital to encourage nations to build their communities on Christian values and to support the traditional family and the sanctity of life.

June 3, 2011

Pope meets US vice president, Palestinian leader in separate meetings Pope Benedict XVI met with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden in an unannounced visit June 3. Biden, the first Catholic vice president in U.S. history, met with the pope in what was termed "a personal and private visit," according to a U.S. official.
June 3, 2011

Meeting of bishops' representatives hear from sex abuse victim For the first time, an international meeting of bishops' representatives heard testimony from a survivor of clergy sex abuse in an effort to help clerics be more aware of the impact of abuse and to show how the church can better help victims.
June 3, 2011

Calming the waters: New Vatican official tries different approach As the head of the Vatican office that oversees the world's religious orders, 64-year-old Brazilian Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz inherited an inbox full of tensions and an assignment that in some ways resembled a battleground.
June 1, 2011

Pope says Moses mediated for Israel as Christ mediated for mankind Moses was willing to sacrifice himself to God for the sins of the people of Israel, just as Jesu Christ later sacrificed himself for the sins of humanity, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly audience.
May 31, 2011

Vatican AIDS conference focuses on need to change sexual behavior Back-to-back speeches at a Vatican AIDS conference illustrated that condoms in AIDS prevention remains a sensitive issue for both church officials and international health experts.
May 31, 2011

Gregorian chant helps church express its universal identity, pope says In giving priority to Gregorian chant and to classical liturgical music, the Catholic Church is not trying to limit anyone's creativity but is showcasing a tradition of beautiful prayer, Pope Benedict XVI wrote.
May 27, 2011

Rome foundation offers course to help educators train healthy priests An Italian cardinal said May 27 that the crisis in the church over the problem of the sexual abuse of minors by priests was an important factor in establishing the course, but not the only one.
May 27, 2011

Vatican conference opens with defense of church's AIDS strategy A Vatican cardinal opened an international conference on AIDS by strongly defending the church's two-pronged strategy against the disease: education of consciences and mobilization of Catholic health resources for patients.
May 27, 2011

Evangelization's source: Pope's journey to Croatia highlights family The focus of Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Zagreb, Croatia, June 4-5 will be on the family and building a community with Christian values.
May 27, 2011

Pope encourages Caritas to work more closely with bishops, Vatican Because it acts in the name of the Catholic Church in promoting development and helping the needy, Caritas Internationalis must be guided by bishops and the official teaching of the church, Pope Benedict XVI said.

May 26, 2011

Vatican calls for stronger assistance to victims of piracy Shipbuilders and owners must adopt stronger security measures to prevent their vessels from falling prey to pirates, and international maritime organizations must be committed to helping the families of sailors held hostage, the Vatican said.
May 26, 2011

Caritas elects French secretary general, re-elects cardinal president Members of Caritas Internationalis elected an official from the French charity Secours Catholique to be their secretary general and they re-elected Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa as president of the confederation of 165 Catholic charities.
May 25, 2011

Pope receives papers for cause of Archbishop Sheen, whom he knew When Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill., presented Pope Benedict XVI with two thick volumes about the life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the pope surprised him by saying he had worked with the late archbishop.
May 25, 2011

Pope explains biblical story of Jacob to stress importance of prayer At his weekly general audience May 25 in St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict said God's blessing cannot be won by force but rather "must be received with humility from him."
May 25, 2011

Pope expresses condolences to victims of Missouri tornado Pope Benedict XVI sent his condolences and words of hope to the residents of Joplin, the Missouri town struck by a devastating tornado that killed at least 123 people, the Vatican said May 25.
May 24, 2011

Salesians suspend two members following pro-pedophilia remarks The Salesians of St. John Bosco removed two European members from their duties after it was discovered one belonged to a pro-pedophilia organization and another made remarks defending pedophilia.
May 24, 2011

Vatican newspaper article says condom campaigns increase AIDS risk An article in the Vatican newspaper said that, on a practical level, condom campaigns increase the possibility of AIDS infection by promoting a false sense of security.
May 24, 2011

Gathering of families in 2012 to look at family, work, free time At a Vatican news conference, officials presented catechetical material developed to help Catholic couples around the world prepare for the gathering.
May 23, 2011

Caritas assembly opens looking at relationship with Vatican Whether they are tiny, all-volunteer organizations or agencies with hundreds of professional employees working around the globe, Catholic charities are called to be expressions of God's love and the Catholic Church's concern for the poor, said the cardinal-president of Caritas Internationalis.
May 23, 2011

All aboard: Caritas opens 60th anniversary with vintage train ride Caritas Internationalis opened its 60th anniversary celebrations with a loud whistle, a puff o smoke and a plume of steam on a vintage train traveling from the Vatican's seldom-used

train station for a day's outing.

May 23, 2011

Pope asks space explorers about science, peace, state of the earth Pope Benedict XVI reached out to outer space to ask astronauts how their unique perspective from the frontier of the universe makes them think about difficult questions bac on earth.
May 20, 2011

Dialogue group praises schools where Catholics, Muslims study together Schools where Christians and Muslims study together, as they do at many Catholic schools i the Middle East, should be supported and cherished by both communities because they promote dialogue and lead to real friendships, said dialogue participants.
May 20, 2011

Doctrinal congregation: Small Vatican office has broad reach As two recent documents illustrate, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith keeps an eye on almost everything coming out of the Vatican.
May 19, 2011

Pope's 2012 World Peace Day theme focuses on young people In building a world of peace and justice, the Catholic Church must listen to the ideas and hopes of young people and offer them educational opportunities that will strengthen their ability to work for the common good, the Vatican said.
May 18, 2011

Vatican calls for solidarity to guarantee access to health care Global solidarity is needed so that every country can guarantee all of its citizens have acces to health care, a Vatican official told the annual assembly of the World Health Organization.
May 18, 2011

Catholics in China need prayers, pope says at audience The pope asked Catholics everywhere to observe May 24, the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, as a day of prayer for Catholics in mainland China.
May 17, 2011

Meeting calls for Vatican guidance on environmental, corporate ethics Catholics are looking for guidance and a larger voice from the Vatican on ethical principles for the world of finance and the environment, said some participants attending a Vatican meeting on social justice in a globalized world.
May 17, 2011

Pope urges 'fearless' missionary efforts, despite persecution In a world marked by new forms of slavery and injustice, the church must evangelize constantly and fearlessly -- even in the face of persecution, Pope Benedict XVI told directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies.
May 16, 2011

Pope's 'reform of the reform' in liturgy to continue, cardinal says Pope Benedict XVI's easing of restrictions on use of the 1962 Roman Missal, known as the Tridentine rite, is just the first step in a "reform of the reform" in liturgy, the Vatican's top ecumenist said.
May 16, 2011

Vatican orders bishops to draft guidelines to handle sex abuse cases Every bishops' conference in the world must have guidelines for handling accusations of clerical sex abuse in place within a year, the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith said.

May 13, 2011

Fiesta in Madrid: Preparations heating up for World Youth Day With fewer than 100 days to go, preparations for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid are heating up and organizers are promising a "fiesta," adding a Spanish flavor to the traditiona opportunities for prayer, friendship, music and religious education.
May 13, 2011

Human rights' report lists Vatican for failure to protect children Amnesty International named the Vatican in its annual report on human rights' concerns for not sufficiently complying with international mandates on protecting children from abuse.
May 13, 2011

Sexuality is God-given gift for communicating true love, pope says The human body is a God-given instrument for communicating love, although it also can be used to inflict harm on others or for one's own selfish pleasure, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 13, 2011

Vatican norms insist on 'generous' approval for use of Tridentine rite A new Vatican instruction calls on local bishops and pastors to respond generously to Catholics who seek celebration of the Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal, commonly known as the Tridentine rite.
May 11, 2011

Faith in God promotes human dignity, pope tells Jewish group One of the greatest contributions believers can make to the struggle for human rights is to strengthen awareness that human beings are created in God's image, Pope Benedict XVI tol representatives of a major Jewish human rights organization.
May 11, 2011

Prayer is challenging way to open to the divine, pope says at audience Even though it is in the nature of every human being to seek God, creating the kind of inner state necessary for prayer is difficult, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience
May 11, 2011

Vatican to publish advice on guidelines to prevent, respond to abuse The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has written a circular letter to bishops' conferences around the world on preparing policies and guidelines for dealing with cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors.
May 10, 2011

Nuncio to Egypt says Christians have both hope, fear Egypt's Christian minority looks toward the future with hope for greater freedoms for all citizens but continues to have some fear that the revolution will be hijacked by Muslim fundamentalists, said the Vatican's nuncio to Egypt.
May 9, 2011

Vatican working group calls for concrete steps to combat climate change Nations and individuals have a duty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enact policies that mitigate global warming, said a Vatican-sponsored working group.
May 9, 2011

Faith, like water, is life-giving, pope says in Venice Visiting Venice, the city of gondolas and canals, Pope Benedict XVI said Christians must make sure their lives as individuals and communities reflect the life-giving qualities of water and not the chaos and destruction it can bring.
May 9, 2011

Cardinal Wuerl takes 'possession' of titular church in Rome

In a traditional custom reserved to the church's cardinals, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington took symbolic "possession" of the Rome Church of St. Peter in Chains, home to Michelangelo's famous sculpture of Moses.
May 6, 2011

At Caritas assembly, Vatican to address 'Catholic identity' issue The general assembly of Caritas Internationalis in late May is shaping up as a defining moment for the confederation of 165 national Catholic charities, at a time when the Vatican is insisting on greater control over Caritas operations.
May 6, 2011

Tweets at St. Pete's: What happens when bloggers and the Vatican meet At a landmark "Blog Meet," the pontifical councils for culture and for social communications brought together 150 bloggers from all parts of the world May 2 to get a sense of their hopes and concerns
May 6, 2011

Liturgical reform was about changing people's lives, pope says The Second Vatican Council's renewal of the liturgy wasn't so much about changing texts or gestures as it was about changing Catholics' attitude toward the Mass and helping the liturg change their lives, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 5, 2011

New Mass translation is ecumenically harmful, Anglican says Because the Roman Catholic Church was a driving force behind the development of a common English translation of basic prayers used by many Christian churches for 40 years, more recent Vatican rules for translating Mass prayers "came as a bombshell," said an Anglican liturgist.
May 5, 2011

Bible's truth is found in its totality, not single phrases, pope says While Catholics believe the Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it is true, one cannot take individual biblical quotes or passages and say each one is literally true, Pope Benedict XVI said.
May 5, 2011

Vatican investigating bishop guilty of having child pornography The Vatican will continue its process against a Canadian bishop who pleaded guilty in a civil court to possession of child pornography, the Vatican spokesman said.
May 4, 2011

Prayer is natural part of human life, pope says at audience People of every epoch and in every culture have prayed because human beings have always recognized that there is something greater than themselves in the universe, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.
May 3, 2011

Thousands of pilgrims pray before Blessed John Paul's new tomb Before a slab of gleaming white marble inscribed "Beatus Johannes Paulus PP. II," thousand of pilgrims made the sign of the cross, snapped a picture and said a quick prayer.
May 2, 2011

Thousands return to Vatican to give thanks for pope's beatification In the same square where Pope John Paul II was shot by a would-be assassin almost 30 years ago, thousands of people returned to thank God for the gift of his life and for his beatification.
May 2, 2011

Libyan bishop invokes Blessed Pope John Paul in peace prayer The top church official in Libya said he was praying to Blessed John Paul II for peace and an end to civilian casualties in the North African country. He also questioned the morality of the NATO airstrikes against the residence of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
May 2, 2011

Vatican says bin Laden's death cause for reflection, not rejoicing The Vatican said the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, a man who sowed division and hatred and who caused "innumerable" deaths, should prompt serious reflection about one's responsibility before God, not rejoicing.
May 1, 2011

Small miracles happen at beatification celebrations, pilgrims say Each of the more than one million people of every age, background and nationality attendin the April 30 vigil in Circus Maximus and May 1 beatification in St. Peter's Square had his or her own story of pilgrimage.
May 1, 2011

Pope Benedict beatifies Pope John Paul 'because of his faith' "John Paul II is blessed because of his faith -- a strong, generous and apostolic faith," Pope Benedict XVI said May 1 just minutes after formally beatifying his predecessor.
April 30, 2011

At vigil, young and old remember Pope John Paul as spiritual model With songs, videos, testimonials and prayers, Catholics of every age and many countries gathered in Rome to remember Pope John Paul II on the eve of his beatification.
April 30, 2011

Photographer, nurse say John Paul's holiness was clear even in private Two laypeople who saw Pope John Paul II in his most private moments not only support his beatification, but are absolutely convinced he's a saint.
April 30, 2011

Legionaries of Christ join in tributes to Pope John Paul Like other religious communities in Rome, the Legionaries of Christ joined in the joy and enthusiasm of Pope John Paul's beatification. They seemed untroubled by critics who view the sex abuse scandal of the Legionaries' founder, the late Mexican Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, as a black mark on Pope John Paul's pontificate.
April 30, 2011

For many, Pope John Paul's humanity made him a more accessible saint Throughout his 26-year pontificate, Pope John Paul paid attention not only to world leaders but also to the "little people" and what was on their minds.
April 30, 2011

Poll shows Americans' admiration for Pope John Paul II A majority of Americans admire Pope John Paul II and believe he is worthy of beatification, according to a Knights of Columbus/Marist poll.
April 29, 2011

Holocaust survivor represents Israel at Pope John Paul's beatification In an unusual move, the Israeli government sent an official delegate to the beatification of Pope John Paul II, choosing a government official who survived the Holocaust because he was entrusted to a Catholic family.
April 29, 2011

Pope John Paul II's tomb opened ahead of beatification During a brief ceremony April 29, top Vatican officials and a handful of the pope's former

aides sang a litany in the grotto of St. Peter's Basilica as the pope's casket was placed temporarily before the tomb of St. Peter, in an area closed off to visitors.
April 29, 2011

Heavenly hosts: Popes aren't automatically saints Considering the fact that they are elected to lead people in prayer, mission and good works, surprisingly few popes have been beatified or canonized, especially in the last 500 years.
April 28, 2011

Vatican exhibit on Pope John Paul starts in St. Peter's Square The Vatican's special exhibit hall wasn't big enough to honor the life and ministry of Pope John Paul II, so the exhibit begins in St. Peter's Square, said the curator of what is describe as Pope Benedict XVI's special tribute to his predecessor.
April 28, 2011

Pope John Paul's impact will continue for centuries, biographer says Pope John Paul II deeply influenced generations of Catholics who knew him in life, but his most enduring legacy -- his teaching -- is something that will continue to impact the church for centuries, a U.S. biographer of the late pope said.
April 28, 2011

People give witness to ways Pope John Paul changed, saved their lives Men and women of all ages and nationalities have sent personal stories to www.karolwojtyla.org -- a website run by the Diocese of Rome dedicated to the late pope's beatification and canonization.
April 27, 2011

Christians must bring hope, joy to world hit by pain, death, pope says More than 20,000 people packed into St. Peter's Square for the popes general audience, many of them young Italian students who were still off from school for the Easter holidays.
April 27, 2011

Security beefed up for Pope John Paul II's beatification The city of Rome launched beefed-up security measures in the days before the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Officers were even brushing up on their English.
April 26, 2011

Rome, world prepare for beatification of Pope John Paul II As the countdown continued for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, church and civil authorities put the finishing touches on logistical plans to handle potentially massive crowds at the main events in Rome.
April 26, 2011

Pope John Paul relic for beatification is vial of blood, Vatican says The Vatican explained that four vials of blood were drawn from Pope John Paul during the final stage of his illness by his personal physician.
April 25, 2011

Bomb explodes outside Baghdad church on Easter A bomb exploded outside Sacred Heart Church in Baghdad April 24 after the Easter Masses had finished and parishioners had gone home.
April 24, 2011

At Easter, pope prays for peace, freedom in world trouble spots In an Easter blessing to the world, Pope Benedict XVI prayed that Christ's resurrection may open paths of "freedom, justice and peace" for troubled populations of the Middle East and Africa.

April 22, 2011

Beauty workshop: Artisan nuns use sacred art to bring people to God The May 1 beatification of the late Pope John Paul II has inspired a number of Italian towns and cities to dedicate a public square to the much-loved pontiff and, like any proper Italian square, it needs a statue.
April 22, 2011

In TV appearance, pope answers questions about faith, suffering, war In an unprecedented TV appearance, Pope Benedict XVI answered questions posed by Christians and non-Christians about global conflicts, interreligious relations and human suffering.
April 21, 2011

Quest for God's love, wisdom must never stop, pope says Presiding over the first of two Holy Thursday liturgies, Pope Benedict blessed the oils that will be used in the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination and the anointing of the sick.
April 20, 2011

Vatican withdraws recognition of international Catholic press group The Pontifical Council for the Laity has withdrawn the canonical recognition of the International Catholic Union of the Press as a Catholic organization because of operational irregularities.
April 20, 2011

Catholics need to be awake to reality of evil, pope says at audience When Jesus asked his disciples to stay awake while he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane he was asking every believer throughout history to remain awake to the reality of God and to the reality of sin, Pope Benedict XVI said.
April 19, 2011

Retired Cardinal Saldarini of Turin dies at 86 Remembered especially for his homilies and for supporting factory workers, retired Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini of Turin died April 18 at the age of 86.
April 18, 2011

For Pope John Paul II, spiritual journey marked path to beatification When the Vatican's sainthood experts interviewed witnesses about the Polish pontiff, the focus of their investigation was on holiness, not achievement.
April 18, 2011

Pope to meet Catholic families, pray at tomb of martyr in Croatia Pope Benedict XVI will meet with politicians and professionals, families and clergy on his firs trip to Croatia June 4-5.
April 18, 2011

Technology without God pulls humanity down, pope says on Palm Sunday Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI warned that technological progress must not lead people to think they can "become God."
April 18, 2011

Bishop in Libya calls for end to hostilities, urges tribal dialogue The apostolic vicar in Tripoli called for a stop to the bloody conflict in Libya and urged dialogue among the various tribes there to help bring about peace, the Vatican missionary news agency reported.
April 15, 2011

Holy confusion? Beatification, canonization are different

The slight differences between a beatification and a canonization are easy to miss, especially when one pope beatifies another pope.
April 15, 2011

Protect rights, well-being of circus workers, animals, says Vatican The rights of circus and carnival workers must be protected and circus animals must be properly cared for and treated ethically, said a top Vatican official.
April 15, 2011

Pope earmarks Holy Thursday collection for disaster relief in Japan Pope Benedict XVI has decided the collection taken up at his Holy Thursday evening Mass will be used to help those affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan.
April 15, 2011

Vatican commission expresses deep concern over relations with China A Vatican commission on China expressed deep concern over worsening relations with the Chinese government and appealed to authorities there to avoid steps that would aggravate church-state problems.
April 13, 2011

Vatican to organize corrections to be made to new youth catechism The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will set up a special working group to collect reported errors and distribute corrections in translations of a new catechism created for young people, after the Italian edition was found to have a translation mistake on contraception.
April 13, 2011

To be holy is to love God, others, pope says at audience Ending a long series of general audience talks about saints and doctors of the church, the pope spoke about the meaning of holiness and how it is achieved.
April 13, 2011

Pope's trip to Germany takes shape The German bishops' conference released the schedule of the pope's Sept. 22-25 visit, whic will take him to the German capital, Berlin, and the cities of Erfurt and Freiburg. It will be the pope's third visit to his homeland.
April 12, 2011

Youth catechism's Italian edition suspended after translation error Thousands of copies of the Italian translation of "YouCat," a recently released supplement to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, erroneously left the impression that Catholic couples could use "contraceptive methods."
April 12, 2011

Youths raise a frosty mug to John Paul II at church-run pub Young Catholics sip beer and kick back in the crypt beneath the Basilica of St. Charles, hom to the GP2 bar and youth club in downtown Rome.
April 12, 2011

Vatican says investigation of abusive Belgian bishop is ongoing The former bishop of Brugge, Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, 74, was ordered to leave Belgium and receive treatment so the Vatican could get professional evaluations that would be taken into account as it moves toward "a definitive decision" about the bishop's fate, the Vatican spokesman said.
April 8, 2011

Vatican announces Masses, Oct. 22 feast day for Blessed John Paul

The feast day of Blessed John Paul II will be marked Oct. 22 each year in Rome and the dioceses of Poland.
April 8, 2011

Vatican orders disgraced Belgian bishop to leave country, seek therapy The Vatican ordered a Belgian bishop who admitted to sexually abusing his nephew to leave his country and undergo "spiritual and psychological treatment," Vatican Radio reported.
April 8, 2011

Papal preacher says true charity requires inner love, outer action Genuine love for others is the cornerstone of charity, but it needs to be backed up by concrete action to be a complete expression of God's love for humanity, the papal preacher said.
April 8, 2011

Academy in Rome celebrates historic stargazing with Vatican astronomer Top Renaissance scientists and scholars gathered on a grassy hill overlooking Rome one starry spring night 400 years ago to gaze into a unique innovation by Galileo Galilei: the telescope.
April 8, 2011

Immigration crisis in Italy puts church teaching to the test Church leaders moral advocacy has provoked criticism and even derision among some Italians, who have suggested that the Vatican and other religious institutions be the first to open their doors to the wave of immigrants.
April 7, 2011

Syro-Malabar bishop tells pope his church is treated unjustly The Vatican and many of the Latin-rite bishops of India are not treating the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with justice, and that makes the church look bad, Auxiliary Bishop Bosco Puthur of Ernakulam-Angamaly told Pope Benedict XVI.
April 7, 2011

Writing meditations for pope, nun gives voice to abused children The cloistered Augustine nun who has written the meditations for Pope Benedict XVI's Way of the Cross service said she strived for simplicity to give a voice to children who have been abused in the church and beyond.
April 6, 2011

Pope calls for end of bloodshed in Ivory Coast, Libya Pope Benedict XVI appealed for an end to the bloodshed in Ivory Coast and Libya, saying hatred and violence never led to victory.
April 6, 2011

Brother of slain Pakistani minister says he forgives murderers Speaking to reporters in Rome April 5, Paul Bhatti said his family has forgiven his brother's assassins "because our faith teaches us to do this. Our brother Shahbaz was a Christian and the Christian faith tells us to forgive."
April 6, 2011

Pope urges everyone to rediscover St. Therese's autobiography Pope Benedict XVI called St. Therese of Lisieux's autobiography, "The Story of a Soul," a wonderful authentic "treasure" and invited everyone to read it.
April 5, 2011

French nun cured of Parkinson's to speak at John Paul II prayer vigil The French nun whose healing was accepted as the miracle needed for Pope John Paul II's beatification will share her story with pilgrims at a prayer vigil in Rome the night before the

beatification Mass.
April 4, 2011

Pakistani bishops urge Catholics to live with hope, courage Preparing for Easter means making a commitment to living with hope and courage, the bishops of Pakistan told Catholics in the country where anti-Christian violence has been on the increase.
April 4, 2011

Caritas reports 1,000 civilians dead, missing in Ivory Coast town One thousand people were suspected to be dead or missing in the town of Duekoue, Ivory Coast, after clashes throughout the country intensified, Caritas Internationalis reported.
April 4, 2011

Vatican says Assisi meeting will not include interreligious prayer Pope Benedict XVI and representatives of the world's major religions will make speeches and sign a common commitment to peace when they meet in Assisi in October, but they will not pray together, the Vatican said.
April 1, 2011

Exorcist boot camp: Church leaders call for more training against evil A call to arms -- to take up the weapons of the rosary and prayer -- rang out at a recent international conference on exorcism in Rome.
April 1, 2011

Don't abandon God because of 'attacks of evil' in church, pope tells youth Pope Benedict XVI urged young people not to abandon their faith in God because of the "attacks of evil" within the church.
April 1, 2011

John Paul II being beatified for holiness, not his papacy, speakers say Pope John Paul II is being beatified not because of his impact on history or on the Catholic Church, but because of the way he lived the Christian virtues of faith, hope and love, said Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.
April 1, 2011

Vatican's new financial oversight norms go into effect Individuals carrying more than 10,000 euros (about $14,000) into or out of Vatican City State must declare the amount to proper authorities under a new law aimed at meeting international norms against money-laundering and financing terrorism.
April 1, 2011

Vatican-Jewish dialogue warns of 'moral crisis' in secular society Believers today need to show through word and action that human rights are connected with moral duties, representatives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews said in a statement.
March 31, 2011

Ukrainian archbishop says he was chosen 'despite age' to promote unity The new head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, its youngest bishop, said he believes the other bishops elected him to promote unity within the church and with other Christians.
March 31, 2011

At least 40 civilians killed in 'humanitarian' airstrikes, bishop says "The so-called humanitarian raids have caused dozens of victims among civilians in some areas of Tripoli," the Libyan capital, Bishop Giovanni Innocenzo Martinelli, the apostolic vica of Tripoli, told the Vatican's missionary news agency Fides March 31.

March 30, 2011

Pope appeals for end to violence, start of peace talks for Ivory Coast Pope Benedict XVI launched an urgent appeal for an end to violence in Ivory Coast and called for constructive talks to end the crisis. He also announced he was sending an envoy t the region to encourage reconciliation.
March 29, 2011

Pope calls for church effort to protect family in Latin America The pope said no effort should be spared in defending marriage as an institution founded on the indissoluble union of a man and a woman, in which human life is welcomed and protected from its very beginning.
March 29, 2011

Rome expecting at least 300,000 pilgrims for John Paul's beatification Church and local government organizers are planning to accommodate at least 300,000 people in St. Peter's Square and the surrounding area for Pope John Paul II's beatification Mass May 1.
March 28, 2011

Confession is a teaching moment for priest, penitent, says pope While penitents can discover grace and hope from God's love and forgiveness, priests hearing confession can be inspired to be more honest, humble and transparent about their own sins, he said.
March 28, 2011

Pope appeals for suspension of fighting in Libya Speaking at his weekly blessing March 27, the pope said he was increasingly concerned at the news from Libya, where rebels supported by U.S. and European airstrikes have battled the forces of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
March 25, 2011

Bad bookworms: Precious library collection on Christian East risks ruin The Pontifical Oriental Institute has the best general collection in the world on Eastern Christianity. But the library's oldest and most valuable collections are in a serious state of degradation.
March 25, 2011

Pope picks nun to write Good Friday meditations Each year, the pope selects a different person to author the texts that mark the steps in the solemn, candlelight ceremony that begins at Rome's Colosseum and leads toward the nearb Forum and Palatine Hill.
March 24, 2011

Pope John Paul's rapport with press important, cardinal says No one can fully understand the personality and courage of Pope John Paul II without examining the "flying press conferences" he held on airplanes during 104 trips outside of Italy, said retired Cardinal Roberto Tucci, who organized most of those trips.
March 23, 2011

World needs peacemakers strengthened by faith, pope says at audience The world needs peace and it needs peacemakers who are strengthened by faith and committed to promoting reconciliation among peoples, Pope Benedict XVI said.
March 22, 2011

Director previews 'There Be Dragons' for Opus Dei leaders in Rome Director Roland Joffe described himself at the preview as a "wishy-washy agnostic standing in admiration" of St. Josemaria, who was born in Spain in 1902 and founded Opus Dei in 1928.

March 22, 2011

Vatican says church philosophy studies must combat suspicion of truth Because so many students are influenced by the cultural suspicion of truth, the Vatican said it will require an extra year of study before a student can earn a church-recognized bachelor's degree in philosophy.
March 22, 2011

Laws must regulate certain sexual behaviors, Vatican official says States have the right and duty to regulate people's behavior, including some sexual behaviors, a Vatican official told the U.N. Human Rights Council.
March 21, 2011

Pope says parishes are places for prayer, learning, charity A parish church is a place for people to get to know God better, to worship him together and to learn how to take the message of his love to the neighborhood and the world, Pope Benedict XVI said at the dedication of a new church in Rome.
March 21, 2011

Pope calls on leaders to protect, allow aid for civilians in Libya Pope Benedict XVI made an urgent appeal to political and military leaders to protect the safety and security of civilians and guarantee the free flow of humanitarian aid inside Libya.
March 18, 2011

Vatican welcomes European court decision on classroom crucifixes Crucifixes displayed publicly in Italy, including in classrooms, are a sign of Christianity's key contribution to European culture and civilization, said Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture.
March 18, 2011

Jesuit magazine says universal health care must also protect unborn If U.S. Republicans and Democrats can promise to work together on economic policy -- an area where they have legitimate differences -- they also must try to cooperate in finding a health care plan that can serve the needy while respecting the sacredness of human life, said an influential Jesuit journal in Rome.
March 18, 2011

Dancing with the saints: Retreat master says that's the key to Lent The saints aren't just people to turn to when something is lost or a situation seems hopeless; they are examples to follow in prayer and in efforts to reform and renew the church, said the priest who was preaching Pope Benedict XVI's Lenten retreat.
March 17, 2011

Jordan needs to let Iraqi refugees work legally, says archbishop Jordan needs to enact legal reforms that would allow Iraqi refugees to work and establish some kind of economic security, said the president of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travelers.
March 16, 2011

Priest leads grass-roots effort to stop child abuse, pornography For 20 years, Father Fortunato Di Noto and his colleagues have been working to protect children from pedophiles and pornographers. The fact that some church leaders have protected abusers makes Father Di Noto very angry.
March 16, 2011

Japanese bishops to set up center to coordinate operations in Sendai Japanese church officials are setting up an emergency center to coordinate humanitarian aid operations in Sendai, the area most devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

March 15, 2011

WYD organizers expect more than 1 million in Madrid With more than 1 million Catholic youths expected to converge on Madrid for World Youth Day in August, organizers are busy making final preparations, including the choice of new songs for the crowds to sing in addition to the much-criticized official hymn.
March 14, 2011

Pope begins retreat, encourages Lenten battle against evil Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics for their prayers as he began his weeklong Lenten retrea March 13.
March 14, 2011

Pope Benedict calls for prayer for victims of disaster in Japan Saying he, too, was horrified by the images of the death and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Pope Benedict XVI asked people to join him in praying for the victims.
March 11, 2011

Sleuth and lawyer: Vatican trains people in the art of saint making Being the point person for promoting a sainthood cause requires the combined qualities of a private investigator, a theologian, a lawyer, a historian and a medical examiner.
March 11, 2011

Public school religion programs can promote dialogue, official says Education about religion in public schools can help students learn to respect others' beliefs, but government-run programs must exercise extreme caution not to promote or to criticize particular religion, a Vatican official told the U.N. Human Rights Council.
March 10, 2011

Not solely for the pope: socks from papal tailor available online Audrey Hepburn had Hubert Givenchy, Rita Hayworth had Jean Louis, Michelle Obama has Jason Wu and the pope has the Gammarellis. Now, a Paris-based online retailer is offering a tiny piece of Gammarelli style to the general public.
March 10, 2011

In book, pope presents Jesus as reconciler, not political revolutionary In his new volume on "Jesus of Nazareth," Pope Benedict XVI presents the passion and resurrection of Christ as history-changing events that answer humanity's unceasing need to be reconciled with God.
March 10, 2011

Despite troubles, church is gift of God, pope tells priests Even if the church is beset by problems, it is still a gift of God, Pope Benedict XVI told several hundred pastors of Rome parishes.
March 9, 2011

Pope to answer Italian television viewers' questions about Jesus Pope Benedict XVI will answer people's questions about Jesus Christ in an unusual Good Friday broadcast on the Italian state television network.
March 9, 2011

Lent fasting, almsgiving, prayer bring strength, pope says at audience Wishing all Christians a "happy Lenten journey," Pope Benedict XVI said fasting, almsgiving and prayer are traditionally suggested for Lent because they have proven to be effective tools for conversion.
March 7, 2011

Pope calls for aid to civilians in Libya; Catholic agencies step in As fighting between rebels and government forces in Libya intensified, Pope Benedict XVI called for aid and assistance to civilians caught in the conflict.
March 7, 2011

Pope remembers Pakistani minister; bishops recognize him as martyr Pope Benedict XVI prayed that the assassination of Pakistan's minister for minorities would awaken people's consciences to the need to protect the freedom of religious minorities.
March 4, 2011

Bible to Boardroom: Catholics make spiritual values their business When Catholic business leaders and experts gathered for a recent Vatican meeting, they were asked to take part in an unusual thought experiment.
March 4, 2011

Church needs new ways to evangelize, synod document says The Catholic Church's "new evangelization" effort is not an attempt to present the Gospel again to people who did not understand it the first time, but to present the Gospel in a way that makes sense and gives hope to modern men and women, said the general secretary of the Synod of Bishops.
March 3, 2011

Millions come to the Vatican, but only a few spend the night Millions of citizens of countries from all over the world enter Vatican territory every year to visit the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica or catch a glimpse of the pope on a Sunday in St. Peter's Square.
March 3, 2011

New media help church listen, build community, says Vatican official A secret ingredient to good communication is listening, and interactive technologies are making that so much easier to do, said a Vatican official.
March 3, 2011

Catholic, Jewish leaders want to prepare new generation for dialogue After 40 years of formal Catholic-Jewish dialogue, leaders in the movement feel an obligatio to listen to and support their younger members as they face new concerns and prepare to continue the dialogue.
March 3, 2011

Vatican officials say bad Masses lead to weak faith A weakening of faith in God, a rise in selfishness and a drop in the number of people going to Mass in many parts of the world can be traced to Masses that are not reverent and don't follow church rules, said two Vatican officials and a consultant.
March 2, 2011

True freedom is total abandonment to God's love, pope says at audience Pope Benedict XVI, at his weekly general audience, said that those seeking "true liberty" should follow the example of a 16th-century French saint who urged the faithful to give themselves up completely to God's love.
March 2, 2011

Vatican condemns murder of Pakistani minister for minorities The Vatican condemned the killing of a Catholic government minister in Pakistan who had spoken out against anti-blasphemy laws.
March 2, 2011

In book, pope says Jesus' death cannot be blamed on Jewish people In his latest volume of "Jesus of Nazareth," Pope Benedict XVI says the condemnation of

Christ had complex political and religious causes and cannot be blamed on the Jewish peopl as a whole.
March 1, 2011

Vatican Museums offer hands-on approach to art for the blind, deaf Two-hour tours are free to the hearing- and visually impaired and seek to offer a multisensory experience of some of the Museums' most famous works.
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