The Nativity of John the Baptist on June 24 comes three months after the celebration on March 25 of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, and six months before the Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus. …

by Andrea Gagliarducci Vatican City, May 30, 2016 / 05:32 am When Pope emeritus Benedict XVI resigned as pontiff three years ago, he added a new dimension to the papacy, said his personal secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein. Archbishop Ganswein remains prefect of the Pontifical Household. He works closely with both …

by Kevin J. Jones Denver Newsroom, Jan 14, 2022 / 13:00 pm Pope emeritus Benedict XVI served as pope from 2005 to 2013. He was born Joseph Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, at Marktl in the German state of Bavaria. He turns 95 soon. There is lots to know about …

Brother André was born Alfred Bessette to a poor Quebec family in 1845, a biography from St. Joseph’s Oratory says. His father died in a work accident when he was nine, and his mother died three years later. His large family was split up and the future Brother André, barely …

In 1969, German theologian Joseph Ratzinger – later Pope Benedict XVI – gave a radio address in which he asked, “What will the Church look like in 2000?” His evaluation of the Church’s condition in 1969 is acute and thoughtful. His prediction for the Church’s future state is remarkably prescient. …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jul 7, 2021 / 04:14 am Pope Francis is grateful for prayers as he recovers in hospital from intestinal surgery, the Vatican said Wednesday. The Holy See press office announced July 7 that Pope Francis was making “regular and satisfactory” progress in his recovery after …

by Diego Lopez Marina Vatican City, Apr 9, 2021 / 15:29 pm America/Denver (CNA). A documentary being released on Benedict XVI’s 94th birthday state that his personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, tried to dissuade him from abdicating the papacy. “Benedict XVI, the Pope Emeritus”, directed by Andrés Garrigó, will be …

Vatican City, Jan 12, 2021 / 03:30 am MT (CNA).- Pope emeritus Benedict XVI will receive the coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is available, his personal secretary said Tuesday. Archbishop Georg Gänswein told CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, Jan. 12 that the 93-year-old former pope would be vaccinated …

CNA Staff, Oct 25, 2020 / 02:30 pm MT (CNA).- Benedict XVI has distanced himself from a Catholic community with which he had maintained close ties for decades. The German magazine “Herder Korrespondenz” reported Oct. 25 that the Pope Emeritus had taken the step regarding the Catholic Integrated Community. Referring …

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome, Italy, Oct 3, 2020 / 04:00 am MT (CNA).- “I never thought he would be made pope,” said Mario Notari, speaking about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. To Notari, the quiet and gentle Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was just another patron at the little Austrian restaurant he manages …