In Evelyn Waugh’s novel, A Handful of Dust, the young son of the main character (Tony Last) is tragically killed in a horse- riding accident. Immediately after the accident, the parish vicar comes to Tony’s house to console him, but after the pastor leaves, Tony explains to a friend that …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 21, 2023 / 12:00 pm Pope Benedict XVI was misunderstood throughout his life and ministry, Cardinal Mario Grech wrote in an essay this week in the Vatican newspaper. Writing in the Jan. 17 Italian edition of L’Osservatore Romano, Grech said Benedict XVI “often remained …

By Daniel Ibañez Vatican City, Jan 5, 2023 / 08:35 am Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, one of the foremost theologians of the 20th century and the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign from the papacy, was laid to rest Thursday following a funeral Mass attended by tens of thousands …

By Kevin J. Jones Denver, Colo., Jan 1, 2023 / 13:00 pm The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI prompted his former students and other Catholic scholars to reflect on his importance for the Catholic Church as a theologian, a scholar, and a preacher. Some even raised the prospect of the …

By Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Dec 31, 2022 / 03:15 am Here is a look back at the key dates and events in the life of Pope Benedict XVI: 1927 — Joseph Ratzinger is born on Holy Saturday, April 16, in the Bavarian town of Marktl am Inn, Germany, and is baptized …

by Andrea Gagliarducci Rome Newsroom, Sep 23, 2022 / 05:29 am In a new letter, Benedict XVI praised the story of a woman who lived “the inner drama of being a Christian” and dedicated her life to the spiritual encounter with Christ in eucharistic adoration and other practices. The pope …

by Andrea Gagliarducci Rome Newsroom, Jul 20, 2022 / 03:55 am With speculation running rife whether Pope Francis could resign, and whether he might retire to a residence in the Vatican Gardens like Benedict XVI, it is worth analyzing what the pope has actually said — and how this aligns …

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 …