Vatican City
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From the Vatican, 17 November 2011
Published November 24, 2011
The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory Archbishop of Atlanta The Holy Father was saddened to learn of the death of Archbishop Emeritus John F. Donoghue and he offers heartfelt condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese. In commending the late Archbishop to the love and mercy of Christ the […] Full Story
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Austrian priests call for reforms; cardinal plans dialogue with group
Published July 12, 2011
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Austrian bishops have criticized an effort by a group of priests calling for reforms in church practice, including opening the priesthood to women and married men, but the bishops have not taken or threatened disciplinary action. Michael Pruller, spokesman for Cardinal Christoph Schonborn of Vienna, said the cardinal plans to meet […] Full Story
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For Pope John Paul II, Spiritual Journey Marked Path To Beatification
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published May 12, 2011As church officials keep emphasizing, Pope John Paul II has been beatified not for his performance as pope, but for how he lived the Christian virtues of faith, hope and love. When the Vatican’s sainthood experts interviewed witnesses about the Polish pontiff, the focus of their investigation was on holiness, not achievement. What emerged was […] Full Story
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Blessed Pope John Paul II
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published May 12, 2011Pope John Paul II was a true believer, a courageous voice of truth and a man whose witness to the faith grew more eloquent as his ability to speak declined, Pope Benedict XVI and others who worked closely with the late pope said at events for his beatification. “John Paul II is blessed because of […] Full Story
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Wikileaks: Vatican Emerges as Key Global Player
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2011If there’s one clear conclusion that can be drawn from the Vatican-related WikiLeaks disclosures, it’s that the United States takes the Vatican and its diplomatic activity very seriously. In memo after memo in recent years, officials of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See have reported back to Washington on the impact of papal trips, […]
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Pope’s 2011 Calendar Holds Full Slate Of Events
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2011For Pope Benedict XVI, the 2011 calendar already holds a full slate of meetings, liturgies and foreign trips. What’s not on the calendar—at least so far—is a special “year of” or a “year for.” In 2008-2009, the pope declared a Year of St. Paul. He designated 2009-2010 the Year for Priests. Perhaps 2011 will mark […]
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Pope Deplores Deadly Attacks On Christian Churches
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published January 6, 2011Pope Benedict XVI deplored a series of deadly attacks against Christian churches and other targets around the world at Christmas time. The pope appealed for peace Dec. 26 after bombs went off in churches in the Philippines and Nigeria, killing or wounding several worshipers. In Pakistan, a suicide bombing against a World Food Program depot […]
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Pope Names 24 New Cardinals, Two From U.S.
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published October 28, 2010Pope Benedict XVI named 24 new cardinals, including two from the United States: Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, head of the Vatican’s highest tribunal, and Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington. The pope announced the names at the end of his weekly general audience Oct. 20 and said he would formally install the cardinals during a […] Full Story
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As All Saints Day Nears, Pope Canonizes Six
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published October 28, 2010Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed six new saints, including an Australian nun and a Canadian brother, calling them “shining examples” of holiness and the power of prayer. Thousands of pilgrims from Australia applauded and waved their national flags after the pope pronounced the formula of canonization Oct. 17 in St. Peter’s Square for Blessed Mother Mary […]
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Pope calls for less “Vatican-centric,” more socially conscious church
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published July 8, 2010VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In his latest wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis said that he aimed to make the Catholic Church less “Vatican-centric” and closer to the “people of God,” as well as more socially conscious and open to modern culture. He also revealed that he briefly considered turning down the papacy in the moments following his election […] Full Story
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Pope says focus on morality can obscure Gospel message
By FRANCIS X. ROCCA, Catholic News Service
Published May 27, 2010VATICAN CITY (CNS)—In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview with one of his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke with characteristic frankness about the perils of overemphasizing Catholic teaching on sexual and medical ethics; the reasons for his deliberate and consultative governing style; and his highest priority for the church today. The pope’s remarks appeared in an […] Full Story
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Pope to youth: Go against culture; share your joy, hope
Published January 7, 2010
VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Fight off a drug- and alcohol-pushing culture and other hazardous trends sweeping across today’s world, Pope Francis told young people. “In life, there will always be people who will make you offers to slow or impede you on your way. Please, go against the current. Be courageous,” he said. He also asked for […] Full Story
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SSPX Bishop Told To Disavow Holocaust Statements
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published February 12, 2009The Vatican said a traditionalist bishop who has minimized the full extent of the Holocaust must disavow his positions before he will be accepted into full communion with the church. A Vatican statement Feb. 4 said Pope Benedict XVI did not know about the controversial statements by British-born Bishop Richard Williamson when he lifted the […] Full Story
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Pope Assures New U.S. President Of His Prayers
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published November 13, 2008Pope Benedict XVI sent a personal message to President-elect Barack Obama Nov. 5, congratulating him and offering his prayers for Obama and for all the people of the United States. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said that because the message was addressed personally to Obama the Vatican did not plan to publish the full […] Full Story
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Next Pope To Face Challenges Over Priests, Mission
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 5, 2007Although Pope John Paul II leaves behind a legacy of pastoral accomplishments, his successor will also face a number of challenges in areas of church governance, missionary strategies and priestly ministry. The challenges are expected to loom large in the cardinals’ daily discussions ahead of the conclave, where they will assess church priorities and begin […] Full Story
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Vatican Moves From Pen And Parchment To DVDs, Web
By JOHN THAVIS,CNS
Published December 15, 2005Two hundred years ago, popes communicated with pen on parchment, in documents and letters secured with sealing wax. Today, Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings and speeches are flashed around the world in real time on the Internet, and he is the star of the Vatican’s own Web site. He gives interviews to Vatican Radio, and many […]
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Archbishop Gregory To Attend Synod On Eucharist
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published September 29, 2005Pope Benedict XVI presides in October over the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist, an assembly that will review liturgical issues, emphasize the importance of Sunday Mass and mark the close of the “Year of the Eucharist.” More than 250 bishops from every continent, including Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta, will attend the Oct. […] Full Story
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In Majestic Mass Pope Reaffirms Unity With Bishops
By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
Published July 7, 2005In a solemn ceremony welcoming new archbishops from around the world, including Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Pope Benedict XVI stressed the importance of bishops’ unity with the Holy See and their common agreement with the Christian faith. The doctrine and faith of the church form “virtually one single family” that expresses “the same faith […] Full Story
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In Homily, Pope Vows To Lead People To Christ
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 28, 2005In the first homily of his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI said his primary mission was to lead people out of the modern desert of empty values, alienation and injustice toward the light of Christ. Speaking April 24 to some 350,000 people who spilled out of St. Peter’s Square, the pope said he took seriously the […] Full Story
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From Hardliner To Humble Shepherd: Pope Looks To Transform Perception
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 28, 2005For more than 23 years, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s public image was that of a brilliant but strict guardian of Catholic orthodoxy, a man who did not hesitate to crack down on errant theologians or risk offending other religions if doctrinal clarity was at stake. Until recently, most people in Rome discounted the idea that he […] Full Story
