News
In hindsight, Pope Benedict’s resignation seems almost predictable
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — As much as he astonished the world when he announced his resignation Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI’s decision seems almost predictable in hindsight. Given his previous statements on the subject and his recent signs of aging, one might say that people should have seen it coming. The real mystery now is […]
St. Peter Parish, West Brandywine, presents talk on adoption
“Adoption – the Loving Choice” is the topic of a presentation Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter Parish, 2835 Manor Road in West Brandywine, Chester County. The presentation will be geared to couples with fertility issues, couples who are considering expanding their home to make room for a child who needs one, […]
Pope Benedict’s pontificate marked by teaching, call to return to faith
Citing his age and diminishing energy, the 85-year-old pope announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning effective Feb. 28 and would devote the rest of his life to prayer. As pastor of the universal church, he used virtually every medium at his disposal — books and Twitter, homilies and encyclicals — to catechize the […]
Pope Benedict’s resignation will set in motion period of transition
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI is a first for the church in centuries, it also leads to a complicated period of transition that ends in the election of a new pope. Regulated by ancient traditions and recent rules, the period between popes — known by the Latin term […]
Pope Benedict’s resignation announcement stuns world leaders
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s announcement that he planned to resign Feb. 28 stunned and shocked religious and political leaders around the world. From Africa to Europe, Asia and Latin America, Catholic leaders offered warm words of praise and pledged to pray for the 85-year-old pontiff’s health. They pointed to Pope Benedict’s love of […]
List of potential cardinal-electors for a papal conclave
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Here is a list of cardinal-electors, from oldest to youngest, eligible to vote for a pope in a conclave.
Pope Benedict shows signs of aging, but Vatican reports no illness
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — From the moment he was elected pope at the age of 78 in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI has kept a schedule that appeared light compared to that of Blessed John Paul II, but busy for a man who already had a pacemaker and who wanted to retire to study, write and […]
US church leaders, including Archbishop Chaput, express surprise, admiration for pope’s decision
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.
Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation announcement
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Here is the Vatican's English translation of Pope Benedict XVI's resignation remarks, delivered in Latin, during an ordinary public consistory to approve the canonization of new saints Feb. 11.
Legal path uncertain for for-profits fighting HHS mandate
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The latest round of proposed federal rules covering religious institutions that want an exemption from the requirement to provide contraceptive coverage in health insurance make it clear that there's no inclination at the Department of Health and Human Services to accommodate for-profit secular corporations the same way as nonprofit religious institutions.