Pope Benedict XVI’s papal ring will be destroyed after he steps down at the end of the month, said Vatican spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi. “Objects strictly tied to the ministry of St. Peter must be destroyed,” Lombardi said. The golden ring is known as the “Fisherman’s Ring” because it depicts Peter fishing. Lombardi also said a Read more
Pope
Papabili’ profiles
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013Who gets the nod depends on the profile of the new pope that the cardinals who elect him at the next conclave think will guide the Church best. While there are no official candidates, there are some “papabili”, or potential popes, who are frequently mentioned. The list below, compiled by the Reuters news agency, is in alphabetical, not in order of their Read more
Opinion: Pontiff crossed religious divides
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
The news of the Pope’s decision to resign was received by Auckland Catholics with sadness, but also with a genuine admiration for the boldness of this initiative, clearly a decision that was made after a great deal of prayer and reflection on the part of Pope Benedict. The whole Catholic world is in a state Read more
Pope had secret pacemaker operation 3 months ago
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
The Vatican is acknowledging for the first time that Pope Benedict XVI has had a pacemaker for years and that its battery was replaced a few months ago in secret. Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said Benedict had the pacemaker installed “a long time” before he became pope in 2005. He called the latest medical Read more
Opinion: Pope’s resignation raises some questions
Wednesday, February 13th, 2013
Just as Joseph Ratzinger’s election was a surprise to some, the way he leaves the papacy surely surprises us all. For although the word from Rome was Benedict was working less and his minders working overtime, I would have been less surprised to wake and learn that Pope Benedict had sadly passed away. For people Read more
Benedict resigns and lightning bolt strikes St Peters
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Today, just hours after Pope Benedict announced his resignation as pope, a freak thunderstorm swept over Rome and a lightning bolt struck St Peter’s dome. The thunderstorm was labelled a ‘freak occurrence’. While not unknown in winter, thunderstorms are more likely to hit Rome in spring or summer. Benedict shocked the Consistory and the world saying Read more
Who will vote for the next pope?
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013The conclave that will elect Benedict XVI’s successor will have 117 members on the day his resignation becomes official, at the end of this month. There are 61 Europeans, 19 Latin Americans, 14 North Americans, 11 Africans, 11 Asians and one from Oceania among the voters. Benedict XVI will not participate in the conclave. The Read more
How the traditional pope is redefining the papacy
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013Pope Benedict XVI came into office with the reputation of a conservative hard-liner, a vigorous defender of orthodoxy who wanted to restore Tradition — yes, with a capital “T”– to a church that was seen as disturbingly undisciplined. Yet with the stunning announcement that he is resigning as the 264th successor to Saint Peter, Benedict Read more
A legal guide to the Pope’s resignation
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013Pope Benedict XVI, who is stepping down at the end of this month, will become the first pope in six centuries to resign the papal office. The rarity of such an event raises many questions about Catholic law and its handling of this historic transition. For insights, Law Blog spoke with two experts at the Read more
Obama praises Pope Benedict
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013President Obama praised Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, just hours after the pontiff announced his resignation. “On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI,” Obama said in a written statement. The president said he “warmly” remembers the meeting he and the first Read more