The Church’s teaching on indulgences is very ancient and the basis for the original understanding of indulgences still stands. But over the centuries, the doctrine and practice suffered many unfortunate abuses, so upon the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI formed a Commission to study the topic thoroughly. On January 1, 1967 ...read more

From tying up shoelaces to help with History homework, parents play a giant role in teaching their children. Of course, kids are taught and influenced by their teachers and friends and coaches, but when it comes to “World’s Best Teacher,” well, that’s an award that should go to each parent. It says so right in ...read more

The S+L team returned to Toronto Monday morning at 10:45 AM. Coincidentally, the papal plane landed in Rome at the exact same time. During the eight hour flight, “Shepherd One” flew briefly over Canadian airspace, prompting the Holy Father to impart a greeting and prayer to Governor General Michaëlle Jean. Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean Governor-General ...read more

“A soothing balm,” is how one priest described the Holy Mass with Priests and Religious, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral. “We are wounded. We needed this.” Witnessing the 40-something cleric crying at the start of the Mass awakened me to the great struggles of the American Church. As a ...read more

I’m off to the papal departure at JFK airport. “The Lord be with you!” says the Pope. “God has redeemed you and made you His children. … May almighty God bless you the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” ...read more

The Holy Father preached an incredible homily during the Mass from Yankee Stadium on Sunday. It masterfully brought together the different themes Pope Benedict touched on in his addresses and homilies during the past six days. It’s a wonderful summary of his Apostolic Voyage — a message of joy, of faith, and a challenge to ...read more

Pope Benedict has just emerged from the Yankees dugout and proceeded to the altar consructed at second base. This is the third time a Pope has stepped onto the field at Yankee stadium. Pope Paul VI celebrated mass here in 1965 and John Paul II in 1979. I am sitting in the press box with ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI in the rotunda of Washington’s John Paul II Cultural Center, Thursday April 17th. Kris Dmytrenko and David Naglieri uploading footage back to our Toronto studio from the Washington, D.C. Papal Visit media centre on Thursday, April 17th. Pope Benedict XVI at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in New York Friday morning and was whisked away to the United Nations Headquarters, where he delivered a historic address to the General Assembly. ...read more

Let’s conclude the story. On Thursday night I found myself in the predicament I feared most: alone, broke and lost in Washington, D.C. Typically, our Vatican press pass provides us a police-escorted bus that promptly takes us to and from venues. It takes an item of supreme value–such as the camera battery charger plugged into ...read more