Georgia Bulletin

Vatican City

• Pope Benedict XVI Formally Begins Ministry

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 28, 2005

  In a liturgy rich with symbols and promises, Pope Benedict XVI formally began his ministry as head of the universal church, and Catholics from around the world pledged their love and obedience to him. The morning of April 24, Pope Benedict, elected April 19, walked down to the tomb of the martyred St. Peter in […]

• Pope Benedict One Of Most Respected Theologians

  By CNS
  Published April 21, 2005

  As the guiding light on doctrinal issues during Pope John Paul II’s pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI was one of the most respected, influential and controversial members of the College of Cardinals. Since 1981 the 78-year-old Pope Benedict—regarded as one of the church’s sharpest theologians—has headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican […] Full Story

• Pope’s World Mission Sunday Message Published

  By CAROL GLATZ, CNS
  Published April 21, 2005

  In his last message published to the world, Pope John Paul II called on the faithful to be “generous evangelizers” by fighting injustice and poverty while spreading the Gospel. On April 15 the Vatican released the pope’s annual World Mission Sunday message, which was written in six languages, including Chinese. The message was signed by […] Full Story

• Last Memorial Mass For Pope John Paul II

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 21, 2005

  Dressed in the white and gold vestments of the Easter season, the world’s cardinals ended the official nine-day mourning period for Pope John Paul II with an April 16 Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgy was celebrated by 78-year-old Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, […] Full Story

• Conclave Rapidly Elects Dean Of Cardinals As Pope

  By JOHN THAVIS and CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 21, 2005

  German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the 78-year-old guardian of the church’s doctrine for the last 24 years, was elected the 265th pope and took the name Benedict XVI. Appearing at the central window of St. Peter’s Basilica April 19, the newly elected pope smiled as he was greeted by a cheering, flag-waving crowd of nearly 100,000 […] Full Story

• Statistics Shared On Week Leading Up To Pope’s Funeral

  By BENEDICTA CIPOLLA, CNS
  Published April 14, 2005

  In the week following Pope John Paul II’s death, more than 3 million pilgrims descended on Rome to honor the late pontiff, a Vatican statement said. On April 12 the Vatican press office released a treasure trove of data from April 2, the day the pope died, through April 8, the day of his funeral. […] Full Story

• In Spiritual Testament, Pope Reflects On Life, Aging

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 14, 2005

  In his spiritual testament, Pope John Paul II reflected on the communist persecution of the church, the attempt to assassinate him, the fall of the Iron Curtain and his own aging. The College of Cardinals released an Italian translation of the Polish text April 7. As his 80th birthday approached in 2000, he said he […]

• As Conclave Approaches, Doors Close To Journalists

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 14, 2005

  During a 10-day period surrounding the death of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican practiced a remarkable degree of openness and enjoyed overwhelmingly positive press coverage of the pope’s legacy and the church’s activities. However, as the church prepared for one of its most secret events, the doors closed once again to journalists. On April […] Full Story

• Great, Humble Pray Farewell To Beloved Pope

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 14, 2005

  Pope John Paul II “offered his life for his flock and for the entire human family,” the dean of the College of Cardinals told hundreds of thousands of people gathered April 8 for the pope’s funeral Mass and burial. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the dean, presided over the Mass concelebrated by 157 of the world’s 183 […] Full Story

• Slowed By Age, Pope Refused To Give Up World Travels

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  Although slowed by age and infirmity before he died, Pope John Paul II refused to give up one of his favorite pastoral duties: traveling the globe. Visiting 129 countries on 104 trips outside Italy, he redefined the nature of the papacy and its once-stable ministry. Earlier popes were carried on chairs at the Vatican; this […]

• He Challenged Americans, But Found Common Ground

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  Often presented as a face-off between the world’s remaining superpower and the world’s premier moral authority, U.S.-Vatican relations under Pope John Paul II in reality included major moments of collaboration. In the same way, relations between the Vatican and Catholics in the United States often were painted as stormy, but U.S. Catholics’ participation in church […] Full Story

• Pope Already Considered Pivotal In Communism’s Demise

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  In 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

• Pilgrim Pontiff Was World’s Apostle, Conscience

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  Pope 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

• 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 […] Full Story

• 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: […] Full Story

• Next Pope To Face Challenges Over Priests, Mission

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  Although 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 […]

• In ‘96 Conclave Rules, Pope Emphasized Secrecy

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  When 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 […] Full Story

• For Papal Election, World To Focus On Sistine Chapel

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  When 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 […]

• Conclave Has Wide Geographical Mix Of Cardinals

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  The 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. […]

• Election Of New Pope Follows Detailed Procedure

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  The 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 […]