Fuelled by leaking of top Vatican secrets by his butler, Pope Benedict, has extended the oath of secrecy to lay people at the Papal Conclave. As part of his ‘motu proprio’ (at his own initiative) released on February 25, Pope Benedict outlined the penalty for such and infraction is automatic excommunication. With his ‘motu proprio’ the Read more
As cardinals preen themselves for their big moment at next month’s conclave, an equally intense rivalry is playing out behind the scenes. For some Italians, just as important as who becomes Pope is who dresses him. Two distinguished ecclesiastic outfitters are vying to make the ivory-white tunics that the new head of the Roman Catholic Read more
All voting cardinals have to be present before they can discharge Pope Benedict XVI’s, last minute decree giving cardinals “the possibility to bring forward” a papal conclave to elect his successor. “I leave the College of Cardinals the possibility to bring forward the start of the conclave once all cardinals are present, or push the beginning Read more
Although Pope Benedict XVI’s highly unusual resignation is said to be for reasons of health, it fits the character of his papacy: all his initiatives remain incomplete. He was elected to rescue the church from itself, but he failed to finish what he started. The assessments of his papacy have so far focused on Benedict’s Read more
CNA is quoting ‘sources’ saying Pope Benedict intends to publish a declaration enabling cardinals to select a date for the Conclave to start earlier than the 15 day waiting period, currently required by the Church’s Canon Law. Communications Director, Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, confirmed the possibility that the Pope was considering such a move. The Read more
Benedict’s decision to resign left people wondering, “Why at this time?” There seemed to be good reasons for such a decision to be made later. He had initiated a “Year of Faith” in October 2012; it would have made sense to leave his resignation till the end of the year of Faith. He has completed Read more
The “Vatileaks” scandal was one in a long series of recent Vatican scandals, and sadly it was not the last. Something of the dark irony of the scandal – “the Butler done it” – may have prevented people from seeing the seriousness of the incident. In reality it’s one of the most serious security breaches Read more
In his last Sunday blessing from a window overlooking the giant key-shaped piazza, the 85-year-old Pope said he was not “abandoning the Church” by his decision to retire to a former convent inside the walls of the Vatican. To applause and cheering from the crowd, he said he had been “called” by God to devote Read more
The Vatican is labelling as “deplorable” articles in two Italian newspapers claiming corruption, blackmail and sexual intrigue among Vatican cardinals. “If in the past, the so-called powers, i.e., States, exerted pressures on the election of the Pope, today there is an attempt to do this through public opinion,” read a statement from the Vatican Secretariat Read more
Spikes in Pope Benedict’s blood pressure means his physician advised him to avoid air travel, reports Marco Tosatti. Benedict’s health is progressively deteriorating, and the 85-year-old pontiff often has problems sleeping, reports the veteran Vatican journalist. Tosatti notes Benedict has fallen out of bed several times on recent trips abroad, and his doctor had advised him Read more