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January 23, 2013

Pope Benedict has new App-titude, lets users follow live events

This is a screen capture of "The Pope App," launched by the Vatican Jan. 23, the eve of Pope Benedict XVI's World Communications Day message. The app for the iPhone and iPad provides live streaming of papal events and video feeds from the Vatican's six w ebcams. An Android version is expected in February.

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican launched a new "Pope App" on the eve of the release of the pope's World Communications Day message, which is dedicated to social networks as important spaces for evangelization.

Published in International
January 18, 2013

Pope names successor to head of church in Ireland

Msgr. Eamon Martin has been named as the new coadjutor archbishop of Armagh, Northern Ireland. He eventually will succeed Cardinal Sean Brady.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI named Msgr. Eamon Martin as coadjutor archbishop of Armagh, Northern Ireland, making him the designated successor to Cardinal Sean Brady as the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Published in International
January 8, 2013

Be like Good Samaritan, help those in need, Pope says in message

Sister Suzan Kuku, a member of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, comforts a patient in September 2012 at St. Daniel Comboni Catholic Hospital in Wau, South Sudan. In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need.

VATICAN CITY - In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI called on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need.

Published in Vatican
January 7, 2013

Bishops must stand firm in truth to lead people to Christ, Pope says

Pope Benedict XVI accepts offertory gifts from a family during the ordination Mass for four new archbishops in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6. The archbishops ordained were: Nicolas Thevenin, apostolic nuncio to Guatemala; Georg Ganswein, pre fect of the papal household and the pope's personal secretary; Fortunatus Nwachukwu, nuncio to Nicaragua; and Angelo Zani, the new secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.

VATICAN CITY - In their task of leading people to the light of Christ, bishops must have the courage to face opposition and peacefully stand firm in the truth, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Published in Vatican
January 4, 2013

Vatican says 2.3 million people joined pope for Vatican events in 2012

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in this Sept. 26, 2012, file photo. More than 2.3 million pilgrims and visitors joined the pope for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the V atican or Castel Gandolfo in 2012.

VATICAN CITY - More than 2.3 million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Benedict XVI for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican or Castel Gandolfo in 2012, the Vatican said.

Published in International
January 2, 2013

Despite evil, human beings are hard-wired for peace, pope says

Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square after leading vespers in St. Peter's Basilica on New Year's Eve at the Vatican Dec. 31.

VATICAN CITY - Welcoming in the new year, Pope Benedict XVI said that despite the injustice and violence in the world, every human being yearns for and is made for peace.

Published in Vatican
January 2, 2013

Agenda for a year of faith: looking ahead at Pope Benedict's 2013

Italian flags blow in the breeze outside the presidential palace in Rome Dec. 22. When Italians go to the polls Feb. 24, the pope and other church officials will be watching closely.

VATICAN CITY - Fortunetelling, like all occult practices, is strictly taboo at the Vatican; and prophecy is a rare gift among journalists. But Pope Benedict XVI's calendar for 2013 is already filling up with planned, probable or possible events. Here are 10 to watch for in the news during the coming year.

Published in Vatican
December 17, 2012

Pope expresses grief over Newtown shooting, calls for acts of peace

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Eucharist during Mass at St. Patrick Parish in the eastern suburbs of Rome Dec. 16. Upon returning to the Vatican for the noon Angelus, the pope offered his condolences and prayers to those affected by the Dec. 14 shootin g massacre at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school.

VATICAN CITY - After 20 children and six adults were shot dead in Connecticut, Pope Benedict XVI offered

Published in International
December 17, 2012

Solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires talks, pope says

Pope Benedict XVI exchanges gifts with Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas during a private audience in the pontiff's library at the Vatican Dec. 17. A statement from the Vatican press office said the two leaders discussed the need to restart talks betwe en the Israelis and Palestinians.

Updated 12/18/12

VATICAN CITY - Just weeks after the Vatican praised Palestine’s boosted status as a non-member observer state

Published in International
December 14, 2012

Christmas trees remind believers of light of Christ, Pope says

A Christmas tree decorates St. Peter's Square after a lighting ceremony at the Vatican Dec. 14. The 78-foot silver fir tree is from the Italian province of Isneria.

VATICAN CITY - The light of Christ has not dimmed over the past 2,000 years, but Christians today have an obligation to resist attempts to extinguish it

Published in Vatican
December 13, 2012

The good, bad, ugly: Church can't shy away from Twitter's Wild West

Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter account is pictured with his first tweet on an iPad tablet.

VATICAN CITY - With Pope Benedict XVI's new presence on Twitter, people from all over the world can now post papal messages with just the push of an on-screen button.

Published in International
December 12, 2012

Pope launches Twitter account, tweets to more than 1 million followers

Pope Benedict XVI sends his first Twitter message during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 12. Looking on is Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

Updated 12/12/12

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI launched his very own Twitter account, sending a short inaugural message to his more than 1 million followers.

Published in International
December 10, 2012

Pope: Americas need renewed missionary spirit, well-catechized laity

Pope Benedict XVI greets Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight of the Knights of Columbus, and his wife, Dorian, after making remarks at the conclusion of the opening Mass of the International Congress on the Church in America in St. Peter's Basilica at the V atican Dec. 9.

VATICAN CITY - The universal church needs Catholics in the Americas who are joyful missionaries

Published in Vatican
December 10, 2012

Gospel is good news of freedom from sin, selfishness, death, Pope says

A firefighter places a wreath of flowers on a statue of Mary high atop a column at the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8. The annual tradition marks the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

ROME - In the immaculate conception of Mary, Christians recognize the

Published in Vatican
December 7, 2012

Catholic beliefs are not open to popular vote, pope says

An authentic "sense of faith," can come only when Catholics actively participate in the life of the church and follow the teaching of the pope and bishops, Pope Benedict XVI said Dec. 7 during a meeting with members of the International Theological Commission.

VATICAN CITY - When the Catholic Church affirms the importance of how all the faithful understand matters of faith and morals, it is not saying Catholic beliefs are open to a popular vote, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Published in Vatican
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