Georgia Bulletin

Vatican City

• As Thousands Pray Outside, Pope John Paul II Dies

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 7, 2005

  A 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 […]

• 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

• Hospitalized Pope Improves, Receives Therapy

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published March 3, 2005

  Five 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 […]

• Vatican Issues New Instructions To Marriage Courts

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published February 10, 2005

  Vatican 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

• 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 … Continue reading Vatican Official Says Pope Alone Weighs Health, Papacy

• 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 […]

• 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 […]

• Six Saints Canonized By Pope On May 16

  By CNS
  Published May 27, 2004

  Published: May 27, 2004 VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope John Paul II canonized six people during a May 16 Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Following are short profiles of the new saints. – St. Gianna Beretta Molla was born in Magenta, Italy, in 1922. While in high school and in medical school, she was involved with Catholic […]

• Vatican Says Mass Norms Ensure Reverence

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 29, 2004

  The norms for celebrating Mass must be followed exactly to ensure reverence for the Eucharist and to preserve the unity of the Catholic Church, said a new Vatican document. “In some places the perpetration of liturgical abuses has become almost habitual, a fact which obviously cannot be allowed and must cease,” said the document, “Redemptionis […]

• Pope, Liturgies Set Mood When Bishops Visit Rome

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published April 8, 2004

  While bishops making their “ad limina” visits to Rome spend more time meeting than praying, the mood of the visits is set by concelebrated Masses and individual time with Pope John Paul II, several U.S. bishops said. Whether ordained a bishop 20 years ago or five months ago, the bishops agreed that the visits they […]

• One-On-One With Pope Central To ‘Ad Limina’ Visits

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published April 8, 2004

  U.S. bishops focused on good news when they sat down to talk with Pope John Paul II during “ad limina” visits in late March. The bishops said they found the 83-year-old pontiff frailer and less verbal than in previous years, but they were certain that he was mentally attentive during their 10- to 20-minute private […]

• Archbishop Donoghue Among U.S. Bishops Having ‘Ad Limina’ Meetings With Pope In Late March

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published March 25, 2004

  U.S. bishops, including Archbishop John F. Donoghue of Atlanta, begin their “ad limina” visits to the Vatican in late March, a series of encounters that combine prayer, pastoral planning and personal conversations with Pope John Paul II. Conducted by regional groupings over the next 10 months, the visits will represent the most exhaustive review of […]

• Pope Meets Cheney, Emphasizes International Solidarity

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published January 29, 2004

  Pope John Paul II met with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney at the Vatican and emphasized the need for international cooperation in resolving conflicts around the world. “I encourage you and your fellow citizens to work, at home and abroad, for the growth of international cooperation and solidarity in the service of that peace which […] Full Story

• Pope Credits Book With Clarifying Marian Devotion

  By CINDY WOODEN, CNS
  Published January 15, 2004

  Pope John Paul II said that at one point in his life he had worried that strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin could weaken devotion to Jesus Christ. The 83-year-old pope, whose private life and public ministry have been marked by a strong Marian devotion, said the concerns he had as a youth were assuaged […]

• Diplomats Urged To Help Iraq Establish Democracy

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published January 15, 2004

  In his annual “state of the world” address to diplomats, Pope John Paul II urged the international community to help Iraqis “retake the reins” of their country and establish a democracy that reflects their aspirations. The pope’s comments Jan. 12 looked beyond his own strong opposition to the war in Iraq and focused instead on […]

• At Christmas, Pope Leads Prayers For Peace

  By JOHN THAVIS, CNS
  Published January 1, 2004

  Presiding over Christmas celebrations at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II pleaded against war and terrorism and urged the world to accept Jesus’ message of peace. At his annual midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica early on Dec. 25, the pope lamented that “too much blood is still being shed” across the globe. In a […]