International News

News from outside of Canada.

Pope’s final Angelus draws 150,000+

February 27, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In one of his last public appearances, Pope Benedict XVI told an overflow crowd in St. Peter's Square Feb. 24 that his upcoming retirement does not mean he is abandoning the church, but that he will be serving it in a new way, through prayer and meditation.

Pope delivers personal, emotional farewell address at audience

February 27, 2013

VATICAN CITY - On his last full day as Pope, Pope Benedict XVI delivered an unusually personal and emotional farewell address, thanking the faithful around the world for their support and assuring them that he would remain in their service even in retirement.

Pope offers thanks to God for support over the years

February 27, 2013

The following is the text from Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience at the Vatican Feb. 27.

Pope Benedict to be 'Pope emeritus'

February 26, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be known as Pope Benedict and addressed as "His Holiness," but after his resignation, he will add the title "emeritus" in one of two acceptable forms, either "Pope emeritus" or "Roman pontiff emeritus."

While @Pontifex hibernates during interregnum, @TerzaLoggia set to fly

February 26, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Pope's @Pontifex Twitter fans will get two more tweets before the account goes into "hibernation" during the "sede vacante" period starting when Pope Benedict XVI steps down.

Vatican denounces press reports on papal transition

February 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Vatican officials released a pair of unusual statements Feb. 23 condemning some press coverage of the papal transition.

Pope accepts cardinal's resignation; he'll stay away from conclave

February 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 74, announced he would not participate in the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI's successor because he did not want media attention focused on him instead of the election of a new pope.

Pope allows cardinals to move up conclave date

February 25, 2013

VATICAN CITY - In his last week as pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules for conclaves, including a clause that allows the College of Cardinals to move up the date for the beginning of the conclave to elect his successor.

12 to watch as cardinals gather in Rome

February 22, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Wherever journalists and bookmakers may be getting the names on their lists of top candidates for the next pope, it’s not from the cardinals who will actually vote in the election. Both custom and canon law forbid the cardinals to discuss the matter in such detail with outsiders.

U.S. House passes bill to help Sandy-ravaged houses of worship rebuild

February 21, 2013

WASHINGTON - Many churches "were the only shelter available to people who lost their homes" during Hurricane Sandy, said Rep. Eliot Engel in arguing for federal assistance to help houses of worship still trying to recover from the storm.