Anyone who believes Timothy Cardinal Dolan has a chance of becoming the next pope is smoking funny cigarettes — so says Dolan. At St. Patrick’s Cathedral yesterday, Dolan was asked about rumors that he would be named the first American pope when the College of Cardinals convenes next month to select Pope Benedict’s successor. “I’d Read more
One of the nuns that lived in the monastery where the Pope will retire says his choice shows Pope Benedict’s “great simplicity” because the new papal retirement monastery “is not a work of art or comparable with other Vatican buildings.” “His decision to retire has surprised me, but he is very brave, although he is Read more
Pope Benedict’s decision to live in the Vatican after he resigns will provide him with security and privacy. It will also offer legal protection from any attempt to prosecute him in connection with sexual abuse cases around the world, Church sources and legal experts say. “His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he Read more
The Vatican is considering calls from cardinals to hold a papal conclave earlier than planned, after Pope Benedict XVI steps down on 28 February. Church officials want a successor to be in place before the start of Holy Week on 24 March – the most important event in the Christian calendar. Under current rules, the Read more
Written by Mgr Charles Burns, the Ecclesiastical Adviser at the British Embassy to the Holy See, this free publication explains simply and clearly what happens before, during and after a Papal election. Download PDF
Vatican Radio is reporting that to date, 35,000 people have registered with the Pontifical Household to attend Pope Benedict XVI’s “last great appointment with the People of God”, announced Holy See Press Office director Fr. Federico Lombardi in his daily briefing with journalists Saturday. Fr. Lombardi told press that the gathering on Wednesday February 27th Read more
The new Pope must save the Catholic Church from waning influence amid the evils of modern society – and may well be an Italian – says Cardinal George Pell. Cardinal Pell is one of 117 cardinals who will elect a new pontiff next month and is the only Cardinal from the vast territory in the South Pacific Read more
Saying he is prepared to be pope, African Cardinal Peter Turkson may have damaged any ambitions he harbored about the papacy. According to Phil Lawler of Catholic Culture, the possibility that Cardinal Turkson will be elected Pope has become more remote with the publication of the Ghanian cardinal’s statement that he would be prepared to accept Read more
Pope Benedict celebrated his last Mass as pope in St Peters today. The weary pope said his public farewell to his flock by presiding over the traditional Ash Wednesday liturgy and by receiving the ashes on his head, a reminder to him that while infallible he is still one of us. In his homily, Benedict Read more
Yesterday I was stopped by one of my neighbours on our shared drive. Normally a full-of-life type person, she approached me cautiously with a kind of sad demeanour. “I’m sorry for the loss of your Mr Pope”, she said. Taken aback slightly, I didn’t quite know how to respond, and simply replied saying, “Thank you”. Read more