Inflation in Laos hit 40.3% in January, according to the country’s National Statistics Bureau, and even normally well-off state employees are feeling the squeeze. “We’re seeing a lot of hardship,” said a public sector worker in Phongsaly province, along northern Laos’ border with China. “Most state employees have to bring their lunch to the office Read more
World
Pope preaches peace, cooperation, resilience to a Congo ‘gasping for breath’
Thursday, February 9th, 2023The people of Congo are more precious than any of the gems or minerals found in the earth beneath their feet, yet they have been slaughtered by warmongers and exploited by prospectors, Pope Francis said. “This country, so immense and full of life, this diaphragm of Africa, struck by violence like a blow to the Read more
Benedict leaves ambiguous legacy
Friday, January 6th, 2023
Who was Benedict XVI? The question sounds odd because the answer must be so obvious. For nearly eight years, until his stunning decision to resign on the last day of February 2013, Joseph Ratzinger was pope, the most visible exponent of Catholicism in the world—a universal pastor and renowned theologian, who presented his ideas and Read more
My encounters with Joseph Ratzinger — and Pope Benedict XVI
Thursday, January 5th, 2023
I first met Joseph Ratzinger in June 1994 when he was the cardinal prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. No, I was not being interrogated by the Grand Inquisitor. This was long before I got in trouble with the Vatican as editor-in-chief of America magazine. I was in Rome to interview Read more
The Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Thursday, January 5th, 2023
When, at this late hour of my life, I look back on the decades I have wandered through, I see first of all how much reason I have to give thanks. Above all, I thank God Himself, the giver of all good gifts, who has given me life and guided me through all kinds of Read more
Bidding farewell to Benedict XVI
Wednesday, January 4th, 2023
Christmas and Easter are the two most important liturgical seasons in the Christian Church. And in a sort of symbolic way they served as bookends to the life and death of Joseph Ratzinger, the priest and theologian who eventually became Pope Benedict XVI — the first Roman Pontiff in 600 years to voluntarily renounce the Read more
Benedict’s unique and complex legacy
Sunday, January 1st, 2023
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who will be remembered for being the first head of the Roman Catholic Church to resign in 600 years, has died on Saturday at his home at the Vatican. The retired pontiff’s health started to decline during the Christmas season and Pope Francis called faithful to pray for his “very sick” Read more
Never before: A retired pope’s funeral at the Vatican
Sunday, January 1st, 2023
The Vatican has detailed rituals and procedures to follow when a pope dies, but it has not published such rules for a pope emeritus. As a result, official word Wednesday that the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had worsened prompted questions about what happens if and when he dies. The answer is: There is Read more
Pope Emeritis Benedict XVI RIP
Saturday, December 31st, 2022
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at 9:34 PM on Saturday evening (NZ time) in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery. “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Earlier in the week, Pope Francis asked for prayers Read more
Pope Emeritis Benedict is very sick
Wednesday, December 28th, 2022
Emeritus Pope Benedict (95), is very sick and Pope Francis is asking for prayers. “I would like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the Church. “Let us remember him. He is very sick, asking the Lord to console and sustain him in this Read more