Vatican Radio reports that discussions are under way to try to arrange for Pope Benedict to speak to two Italian astronauts onboard the space station. The planned link-up would happen on May 4 and will coincide with the final mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is scheduled to leave from the Kennedy Space Center Read more
The signs are that Pope Benedict is going green. 2,400 solar panels have been installed on the roof of the papal Audience Hall at the Vatican, which mean that 230 tons less of carbon dioxide will go into the atmosphere each year. One of the Vatican engineers says “The push came from the very top. When it Read more
In a repeated call to end the the fighting in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya, Pope Benedict said “Violence and hatred are always a failure.” Appealing for an immediate end to the fighting he said all sides should launch peace efforts “to stop further bloodshed.” Benedict says he is continuing to follow both these dramatic events Read more
The people of Christchurch will need help to rebuild their heritage churches, especially since these religions are fading away. The religious leaders’ cheque books are, however, conspicuously closed. The Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury should be making a contribution because the Anglican and Catholic Churches are some of the wealthiest organisations in the world and if it is Read more
Pope Benedict has made repeated appeals for peace in Libya. He has expressed “anxiety for the safety and security of civilians” and urged that dialogue rather than military force be used in order to reach a peaceful solution. He appealed to international organisations and to “those who bear political and military responsibilities to immediately begin talks aimed at the Read more
Benedict XVI says he wishes for a greater focus ecumenism during his September visit to Germany. In a letter to the chairman of the council of the German Evangelical Church (EKD) he said “I have now told those responsible that in the land where the Reformation has its source, a stronger ecumenical accent is necessary,” He asked for Read more
Pope Benedict rejects the idea of violence in the name of Jesus and dismisses the idea that the Jews were responsible for Jesus’ death. In the second of his planned trilogy, Benedict says there can be no justification for violence carried out in Jesus’ name. “The cruel consequences of religiously motivated violence are only too evident Read more