VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis will visit his predecessor at the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo next Saturday in a historic encounter that brings together the new pope and the first pope to resign in six centuries, the Vatican said in an announcement that outlines the church rites and political meetings for the first days of the […]
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Tag Archives: Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict: May we be renewed in our Baptism
January 13, 2013 
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(Vatican Radio) — Appearing at his study window at midday Sunday, Pope Benedict greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered under drizzling rain in Saint Peter’s Square. In his remarks at the Angelus prayer, the Pope spoke of Sunday’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and invited Catholics to “contemplate our share in the divine […]
Read moreOfficial Vatican text of Pope’s Christmas message
December 25, 2012 Comments Off
VATICAN CITY — Here is the official Vatican English translation of the “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas Day message read in Italian by Pope Benedict XVI Tuesday. “Urbi et Orbi” is Latin for to “The City and to the World.” Dear brothers and sisters in Rome and throughout the world, a happy Christmas to […]
Read moreAt Christmas Eve Mass, Pope Benedict urges space for God
December 25, 2012 Comments Off
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI marked Christmas Evewith Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and a pressing question: Will people find room in their hectic, technology-driven lives for children, the poor and God? The pontiff also prayed that Israelis and Palestinians live in peace and freedom, and asked the faithful to pray for strife-torn Syria as […]
Read morePope calls for religious freedom in Middle East
September 15, 2012 Comments Off
BEIRUT (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI appealed Saturday forreligious freedom in the Middle East, calling it fundamental for stability in a region bloodied by sectarian strife. Benedict spoke on the second day of his visit to Lebanon, a country with the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East. He arrived amid a wave of violent demonstrations over […]
Read morePope arrives in Lebanon with message of peace
September 14, 2012 Comments Off
BEIRUT (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon on Friday and urged peace at a time of great turmoil in the Middle East, saying the import of weapons to Syria during the country’s civil war is a “grave sin.” The three-day visit comes as war rages in neighboring Syria and in the aftermath of a mob attack that killed […]
Read morePlane carrying Pope lands in Lebanon
September 14, 2012 Comments Off
BEIRUT (Reuters) – A plane carrying Pope Benedict arrived at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri airport on Friday, witnesses said, at the start of a three-day visit aimed at addressing the position of Christians in a region torn by civil war in neighboring Syria. The Lebanese army has deployed thousands of troops to secure the pope’s visit in which he […]
Read moreVatican Pope to visit Beirut
September 10, 2012 Comments Off
The Pope of the Catholic Church, Benedict XVI, will take part in a three-day visit to Lebanon starting this Friday. The 85 year-old pontiff will make the trip on the occasion of the signing and publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, a formal type of communication from the Papal Seat. Benedict told pilgrims at […]
Read morePope visits quake region in northern Italy
June 26, 2012 Comments Off
ROVERETO DI NOVI, Italy (Reuters) – Pope Benedict on Tuesday comforted victims of last month’s Italian earthquake, which killed 25 people and devastated many homes, factories and churches, urging them to seek support in their faith as they seek to rebuild. The northerly Emilia-Romagna region was hit on May 20 by a 6.0 […]
Read morePope: Easter Monday Regina coeli
April 9, 2012 Comments Off
(VATICAN RADIO) — Pope Benedict XVI prayed the Regina coeli with the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Apostolic retreat in Castel Gandolfo on Easter Monday – a bright, crisp, clear day, with an April breeze stirring the air. Easter Monday – a day of rest and recreation in many countries, as the […]
Read morePope marks Easter with call for Syria violence end
April 8, 2012 Comments Off
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI implored the Syrian regime Sunday to heed international demands to end the bloodshed and voiced hope that the joy of Easter would comfort Christians suffering because of their faith. Benedict, struggling with hoarseness and looking tired, celebrated Mass on Christianity’s most joyous holy day on the flower-adorned steps of St. Peter’s Basilica, […]
Read moreFull text: Pope Benedict’s urbi et orbi address
April 8, 2012 Comments Off
VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass this Easter Sunday in St Peter’s Square, after which he offered the urbi et orbi benediction – the blessing of the city and the world – which it is tradition for the Pope to give at Easter and at Christmas. Pope delivered remarks to the faithful gathered […]
Read morePope holds Easter candle at basilica vigil
April 8, 2012 Comments Off
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI, carrying a tall, lit candle, ushered in Christianity’s most joyous celebration with an Easter vigil service Saturday night, but voiced fears that mankind is groping in darkness, unable to distinguish good from evil. Easter for Christians commemorates Christ’s triumph over death with his resurrection following his crucifixion. “Life […]
Read moreFull Text of Pope’s Homily on Palm Sunday
April 1, 2012 Comments Off
Pope Benedict presided over Mass in St Peter’s Square asking the question, Who is Jesus of Nazareth? Below is the full text of the Pope’s Homily in English. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Palm Sunday is the great doorway leading into Holy Week, the week when the Lord Jesus makes his way towards the […]
Read morePope Benedict: Palm Sunday, an outlook on humanity
April 1, 2012 Comments Off
VATICAN — Pope Benedict XVI presided over of Palm Sunday celebrations in St Peter’s Square before thousands of people who carried palms and olive branches as is tradition. On a spring day in Rome a solemn procession made up a Cardinals, Bishops and priests made its way around the square on this Sunday […]
Read morePhotostream : Pope Benedict XVI meets with former Cuban Leader Fidel Castro
March 29, 2012 Comments Off
Thousands massed in Havana for pope’s Mass
March 28, 2012 Comments Off
HAVANA (AP) — Tens of thousands of people have massed inHavana’s Revolution Plaza for Pope Benedict XVI’s Mass on the final day of his visit to Cuba. Many people are standing under umbrellas to shade themselves from an already blistering sun as they listen to prayers broadcast to the crowd. Benedict made his way to the […]
Read morePhotostream : Cuba’s President Raul Castro meets Pope Benedict XVI
March 28, 2012 Comments Off
Lombardi: Hope is at heart of Pope’s mission to Mexico
March 24, 2012 Comments Off
MEXICO — “Pope Benedict XVI’s intention is to continue the mission of John Paul II to Mexico and Cuba” , said Vatican Press Office Director, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., in the first briefing with press accompanying the Holy Father on his apostolic voyage to Mexico, Saturday morning. “The Pope is very happy to be […]
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