If inter-faith gestures — gimmicks though they might be — help reduce tensions, then let’s have more of them. Such was the media hype that anyone even sleep-walking through Britain last week couldn’t have failed to notice the news of the country’s “first female Muslim Cabinet Minister”, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, launching a spirited defence of Read more
There are rumours afoot that Fidel Castro may rejoin the Catholic Church. The chatter in Rome is that Castro is preparing to be readmitted to the Church when Pope Benedict visits Cuba next month. Speculation went viral as two Italian daily newspapers, La Repubblica and La Stampa reported that the committed revolutionary atheist and ailing octogenarian had Read more
Le roi de Tonga, George (Siosi) V, a été reçu vendredi 24 février 2012 en audience avec le Pape Benoît XVI, lors d’une visite officielle au Vatican, ont annoncé les services officiels de cet État. Au menu de cet entretien, selon ces sources : des questions d’ordre international et un « accent » sur les Read more
Pope Benedict is inviting you to follow him for Lent, on Twitter. The messages for Lent started on Ash Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) and the goal is to reach out with succinct messages. “In concise phrases, often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated,” the Pontiff was quoted by Read more
In his speech to newly created cardinals, Pope Benedict has indirectly denied recent speculation that he may resign, reports Vatican Insider. A number of people have been hinting at his resignation; however the soon-to-be 85 year old Pontiff concluded his speech with an indirect denial of his pending resignation. “Pray also for me, that I Read more
A Cuban priest believes that Pope Benedict’s upcoming trip to the country will bring profound change and show that ‘love is the only path possible for the present and the future of Cuba.’
‘I am convinced in faith that God our Lord will bring great benefit out of the Pope’s visit and out of everything that Cuba is experiencing at this time for our people and for our Church,’ Father Jorge Luis Perez Soto told CNA on Feb. 2.
The priest served as pastor of the Cathedral of Havana before relocating to Rome to study dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
He said that Pope Benedict’s March 26-28 visit will serve to strengthen the bond between Cubans and the Vatican. Catholics in the country are especially called to be ‘a means of reconciliation in Cuba,’ in order to bring healing to the wounds of the past, he added.
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Visiting inmates at Rebibbia prison, one of Italy’s toughest prisons, on Monday, Pope Benedict told the inmates people are awful to him too. “People speak ferociously even against the Pope, but nonetheless we have to move on,” the pontiff said. Despite the surroundings and a hectic Christmas schedule, Pope Benedict looked to be in good Read more
The Vatican is playing down comments that Pope Benedict is looking thinner, tired and weak. However people who have spent time with him and watching his every movement say they do perceive him weaker, seemingly too tired to engage. Benedict’s frailty was first highlighted a few weeks ago when, like John Paul II in his Read more
The New Evangelization was the focus of Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks to the bishops of New Zealand and the Pacific on Saturday, as he received them at the end of their ad limina visits. In his address to the Bishops of New Zealand and the Pacific Pope Benedict spoke of the contribution of priests and Read more