The Jan. 5 funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI will be a papal funeral with a few changes to fit with the fact that he was not the reigning pope and has not left behind a "sede vacante."

In accordance with Pope Benedict XVI's wishes, his funeral and moments of prayer surrounding it will be simple, according to the Vatican press office.

Tributes have been pouring in from across Canada as the Catholic community has joined the world in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

During his many years at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as well as during his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI made incisive contributions to the search for Christian unity, although some of his teaching also was read as ecumenically insensitive.

The late Pope Benedict XVI's disgust over the abuse scandals marring the church was made evident even before his election as pope.

In trying to help people understand how belief in God is a natural part of life and provides grounding for the values that protect human dignity and peaceful coexistence, the late Pope Benedict XVI saw Jews and Muslims as natural allies.

Mere memory is not enough for the year we have just lived. Misty-eyed nostalgia would be a sin. It would fall far short of the mark.

Christmas was wonderful that year. So was New Year’s. This, despite the coldest dose of reality that I’d been hit with. 

Canadian Christian singer-songwriter Steve Bell is back on the road and sharing his music with live audiences for the first time in two-and-a-half years. 

The pay it forward spirit is thriving in Canadian Catholic schools this Christmas season.