News
Speculation, suspense: Italian media rife with papal predictions
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Online betting and trending sites were not the only outlets posting their papal predictions. Italian newspapers are historically the boldest and most confident in their daily speculations and conclave scenarios.
Called by name: Keep this list ready when new pope is named
VATICAN CITY — The first clue to the identity of the new pope will be the announcement of his first name — in Latin. If he is not the one chosen, French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, the top-ranked cardinal-deacon, will say, in Latin, “I announce to you a great joy. We have a pope: His most […]
Arkansas law on fetal heartbeat breaks new ground, supporters say
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (CNS) -- Six days after passing a ban on abortions after 20 weeks' gestation, the Arkansas Legislature approved an even stricter ban. The House of Representatives and Senate voted March 5 and 6 to override Gov. Mike Beebe's veto to approve the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act, just as they did Feb. 27-28 to override his veto of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. While the fetal pain bill went into effect immediately, the heartbeat bill banning most abortions at 12 weeks will take effect this summer.
How the papal balloting is scheduled to work
The announced conclave schedule appears below with times listed for Rome, with Eastern Daylight Time in parentheses: March 12 3:45 p.m. (10:45 a.m.) — Transfer from the Domus Sanctae Marthae to the Apostolic Palace. 4:30 p.m. (11:30 a.m.) — Procession from the Pauline Chapel to the Sistine Chapel. 4:45 p.m. (11:45 a.m.) — Oaths, meditation […]
Cardinals enter conclave invoking aid of Holy Spirit, all the saints
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Invoking the aid of the Holy Spirit and the holy men and women from all over the world recognized as saints, 115 cardinals processed slowly into the Sistine Chapel to begin the process to elect a pope.
Vatican’s English briefer, Father Rosica, sees catechesis in his work
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Basilian Father Thomas Rosica is a busy man these days. The Rochester, N.Y., native, founder and CEO of Salt and Light Television based in Toronto, has been assisting the English-speaking media at the Vatican Press office during the papal transition. That means he provides English translations during news briefings led by […]
Boston cardinal asks House to pass Health Care Conscience Rights Act
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has asked members of the House to approve the Health Care Conscience Rights Act. Introduced March 5 by three House Republicans, the bill had 66 co-sponsors as of March 11.
Cardinals end pre-conclave meetings, hear report on Vatican bank
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- During their last meeting before entering the conclave to elect a new pope, the world's cardinals heard a report on the Vatican bank and continuing efforts to comply with international standards to prevent money laundering and the funding of terrorism. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, told reporters that 152 cardinals, including those over 80 years old, were present for the final general congregation meeting March 11.
Pakistani church condemns arson attack on Christian colony in Lahore
NEW DELHI (CNS) -- The Catholic Church in Pakistan condemned a March 9 attack by an estimated 3,000 Muslims on a Christian colony in Lahore that left more than 175 buildings, including two churches and dozens of homes, torched and hundreds of people homeless. The attack came after a Christian sanitary worker allegedly criticized Mohammed three days earlier.
Holy Ghost Prep to face off against La Salle for Flyers Cup
The two finalists emerged via different routes, each impressive in their own particular way. So, on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia, two-time defending champion La Salle College High School will meet Holy Ghost Prep in the Class AAA Flyers Cup ice hockey championship. “Sometimes you need a little bit of […]