By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign the papacy was a “surprise, like thunder that gives no notice that it’s coming,” said one of the cardinals who was in the room when the pope announced his decision Feb. 11. “We …

In April of 2005 when Blessed John Paul II passed from this world, it was a totally new experience for me.  I was less than one year ordained to the priesthood, but yet I had never known another name to be prayed during his spot in the Eucharistic Prayer.  (I …

In response to Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation announcement Monday, I give my take on the Paul Harvey classic speech “So God made a farmer” as used in the Ram Truck Super Bowl commercial.   So God made a Pope And some time considerably after the 8th day, God looked down on …

By Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Curious who will choose the next pope? Here is a list of cardinal-electors, from oldest to youngest, eligible to vote for a pope in a conclave. Cardinal Walter Kasper turns 80 March 5; depending on the date of the conclave, he might …

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation Monday before a consistory of Cardinals. His speech was read in Latin. The full text in English is provided below the video. The full text of the speech was posted on the Vatican’s website. Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only …

Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr had this reaction today to the resignation of the Holy Father: “In announcing his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI has acted humbly and unselfishly for the good of the Church. That same spirit has characterized his entire life of service. “I will always remember Pope Benedict as …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI asked nuns, brothers and priests not to listen to the “prophets of doom” who say that consecrated life has no future or that it has no meaning in today’s world. “Do not join the prophets of doom …

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The Vatican launched a new “Pope App” on the eve of the release of the pope’s World Communications Day message, which is dedicated to social networks as important spaces for evangelization. The new app provides live streaming of papal events …

By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Fortunetelling, like all occult practices, is strictly taboo at the Vatican; and prophecy is a rare gift among journalists. But Pope Benedict XVI‘s calendar for 2013 is already filling up with planned, probable or possible events. Here are 10 …

By John Stegeman His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI is still fairly new to Twitter, but the pontiff has already set a record, beating out pop superstar Justin Bieber in re-tweets. Reuters reports that while the Pope still trails Bieber in followers (the Holy Father has 2.1 million followers to Bieber’s …