by Father John P. Cush Several Brooklyn priests studying and working in Rome had the opportunity to assist at the Holy Father’s last public Mass as pontiff. Originally, as is the custom, the Ash Wednesday Mass is at Santa Sabina and is usually a much smaller event. Dominicans and Benedictines would generally assist the Holy […]
by Carol Glatz VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Italian cardinal leading Pope Benedict XVI’s Lenten retreat was tweeting and podcasting his reflections, signaling that detachment from the outside world doesn’t have to mean a total media blackout. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, 70, began the spiritual reflections Feb. 17 by describing Pope Benedict’s future role in the […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – For a Catholic so aware of the importance of tradition, even traditions with a small “t,” Pope Benedict XVI had to know he was setting a precedent by resigning. “This development will offer options that maybe were not too obvious before this courageous decision of Pope Benedict,” said […]
by Cindy Wooden VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Calling this an unusual time for him and for the Church – but not specifically mentioning his resignation – Pope Benedict XVI thanked people for their affection and asked them to continue their prayers. A roar of applause rose up from more than 50,000 people gathered in St. […]
ROME (CNS) – Here is an explanation of some of the terms and practices related to the time between Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation at 8 p.m. on Feb. 28 and the election of a new pope. “Sede vacante” Dioceses are also called sees. The Latin for “when the see is vacant” is “sede vacante.” When […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The current staff of the papal apartments, including Archbishop Georg Ganswein, will accompany Pope Benedict XVI to Castel Gandolfo when he leaves office. Correcting information he had given reporters earlier, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said Archbishop Ganswein told him that he would be living with the pope and with […]
The New York Times ran a column this past week asking the question about whether or not Benedict XVI will still be infallible when he retires. The answer, of course, is no! Only the reigning pontiff is infallible and only when he makes a definitive statement about faith or morals. In fact, the Holy Father […]
Christ Our Hope was the theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic journey to the U.S. in 2008. The six-day trip, April 15-20, began in Washington, D.C., and concluded in New York City. The Diocese of Brooklyn was present to welcome the Holy Father when he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport… While in New […]
by Carol Zimmerman WASHINGTON (CNS) – U.S. Catholic Church leaders who awoke to the news of Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he will retire at the end of February said they were surprised by the news but admired the pontiff’s courage and humility for making the decision. Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president […]
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The Vatican monastery where Pope Benedict XVI intends to live began its life as the Vatican gardener’s house but was established as a cloistered convent by Blessed John Paul II in 1994. When Pope Benedict, 85, announced that his age and declining energies prompted his decision to resign, the Vatican said […]
