Vatican City
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Pope Already Considered Pivotal In Communism’s Demise
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005In the view of many political commentators, history will best remember Pope John Paul II as the spiritual godfather of communism’s demise. Although he refused to claim personal credit for the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and its decline elsewhere around the globe, the pope was keenly aware that his moral prodding—especially in his […] Full Story
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Pilgrim Pontiff Was World’s Apostle, Conscience
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005Pope John Paul II, who died April 2 at age 84, was a voice of conscience for the world and a modern-day apostle for his church. To both roles he brought a philosopher’s intellect, a pilgrim’s spiritual intensity and an actor’s flair for the dramatic. That combination made him one of the most forceful moral […] Full Story
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Pope John Paul II Published 14 Encyclical Letters
Published April 7, 2005
During his more than 26-year tenure, Pope John Paul II published 14 encyclical letters. Here is a chronological list of all his encyclicals: 1. “Redemptor Hominis” (“The Redeemer of Man”), 1979: On Jesus Christ and the dignity his redemption brings to the human race. 2. “Dives in Misericordia” (“Rich in Mercy”), 1980: On God the […]
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Important Dates In Pope John Paul’s Life, Pontificate
Published April 7, 2005
Here are some important dates in the life of Pope John Paul II: 1920: Karol Wojtyla is born May 18, baptized June 20 in Wadowice, Poland. 1929: His mother dies; he receives first Communion. 1938: Moves to Krakow with father; enters Jagellonian University, joins experimental theater group. 1939: Germany and Soviet Union invade Poland. 1940: […]
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Next Pope To Face Challenges Over Priests, Mission
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005Although 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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In ‘96 Conclave Rules, Pope Emphasized Secrecy
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005When Pope John Paul II rewrote the rules for the coming conclave, he emphasized repeatedly that the papal election and everything about it must remain secret. The cardinals and those assisting inside the conclave or at the dormlike building where the cardinals will stay are to take a solemn oath to observe “absolute and perpetual […]
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For Papal Election, World To Focus On Sistine Chapel
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published April 7, 2005When cardinals gather to vote for a new pope, the attention of the world will once again focus on the Sistine Chapel, a setting resplendent with art and full of history. From the outside, the only sign of the conclave proceedings will emerge from the smokestack on top of the chapel’s roof. Barely visible from […]
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Conclave Has Wide Geographical Mix Of Cardinals
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005The coming conclave is expected to be the largest in history, with a wide geographical mix of cardinal-electors. There are 117 cardinals under age 80 and therefore eligible to vote in a papal election. They come from 53 different countries, and the vast majority of them have served as pastors in archdioceses around the world. […]
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Election Of New Pope Follows Detailed Procedure
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005The voting by cardinals to elect the next pope takes place behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, following a highly detailed procedure last revised by the late Pope John Paul II. Under the rules, secret ballots can be cast once on the first day of the conclave, then normally twice during each subsequent […]
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Cardinals Set April 18 As Start Of Conclave
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005As a record number of mourners continued to file past Pope John Paul II’s body, the world’s cardinals set April 18 for the start of the election of his successor. The cardinals, in their third day of meetings, also read Pope John Paul’s last will and testament. The document, about 15 pages long, will be […]
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Pope’s Death Sets In Motion Period Of Transition
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005The death of Pope John Paul II set in motion a complicated period of transition, an interval marked by mourning, a slowdown in Vatican operations and the election of a new pope. Regulated by ancient traditions and recent rules, the period between popes—known by the Latin term “interregnum”—began moments after the pope’s death April 2. […]
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Endless Line, Boundless Affection For Pope John Paul II
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005The line seemed endless, and so did the outpouring of affection for Pope John Paul II. All day and all night they came to St. Peter’s Basilica to say goodbye to the late pope, whose body lay on a damask-covered bier in front of the main altar. No one remembered seeing this big a crowd […]
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Pope John Paul II Looked Closely At Role Of Women
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published April 7, 2005In authoritative theological documents and in heartfelt pastoral letters, Pope John Paul II looked at the role of women in the church and in the world more closely than any other pope in modern history. On topics as diverse as the priesthood, motherhood, abortion, work, religious life and peacemaking, women were a recurring and often […]
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As Thousands Pray Outside, Pope John Paul II Dies
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published April 7, 2005A historic papacy of more than 26 years ended with the death of Pope John Paul II on Saturday, April 2, after a long struggle with illness. The Vatican announced the pope’s death at 9:54 p.m. Rome time, two days after the pontiff suffered septic shock and heart failure brought on by a urinary tract […] Full Story
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Pope Gets Feeding Tube To Improve Caloric Intake
Published March 31, 2005
Pope John Paul II is receiving supplementary nutrition through a feeding tube as he continues his “slow and progressive” recovery, the Vatican announced. Papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said March 30 that a nasogastric tube was inserted in order to improve the pope’s caloric intake and help him regain his strength. The pope underwent a tracheotomy […] Full Story
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Hospitalized Pope Improves, Receives Therapy
By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
Published March 3, 2005Five days after a tracheotomy to relieve breathing problems, Pope John Paul II was able to say Mass in his hospital room, meet with aides and continue initial sessions of speech therapy, the Vatican said. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who brought the pope some papers to work on, told reporters March 1 that the pontiff had […]
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Vatican Issues New Instructions To Marriage Courts
By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
Published February 10, 2005Vatican officials said new instructions for church marriage tribunals are designed to ensure church law is followed, to defend the sacrament of marriage and to ensure the efficiency that justice requires. The new handbook for Latin-rite diocesan and interdiocesan tribunals, “Dignitas Connubii,” (“The Dignity of Marriage”), provided step-by-step procedures for accepting, investigating, judging and appealing […] Full Story
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Vatican Official Says Pope Alone Weighs Health, Papacy
Published February 10, 2005
When a top Vatican official said papal resignation should be left to the “conscience” of Pope John Paul II, it reignited a debate that has been smoldering for many years. Inside and outside the Vatican, prelates and lay experts have fallen into two camps: those who think the pope would resign if he felt he […]
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Pope John Paul II Hospitalized After Falling Ill
Published February 3, 2005
Pope John Paul II was taken to a Rome hospital late Feb. 1 with severe breathing problems caused by an inflammation in his throat, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters in a statement issued at midnight. The pope, 84, came down with the flu Jan. 30. About 10:50 p.m. Feb. 1 he was rushed to […]
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As New Year Begins, Pope Prays For Victims Of Tsunamis
Published January 6, 2005
Pope John Paul II ushered in the New Year with prayers for the families and victims of the Dec. 26 earthquake and devastating tsunamis that swept through parts of Asia and Africa. The pope celebrated a special, unscheduled Mass at midnight Dec. 31 in his private chapel with intentions specifically dedicated to all those affected […] Full Story