In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict speaks to prelates at the end of his prayers at the Vatican March 3, 2012. The pope and top Vatican officials were on a weeklong Lenten retreat. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano ...read more

  If you click the image above, you will be led to an interactive media element showing you the details of the upcoming Papal Conclave. This is really cool and full of fascinating information. This makes learning about the upcoming conclave fun. Source: vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/come-si-elegge-il-papa * Please consider donating to Salt + Light this Lent ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict prays May 15, 2009 inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at the spot which marks the place Jesus was crucified at Golgatha. The church in the Old City of Jerusalem was one of the last places the pope visited during his weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land. CNS photo/Yannis ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict waves to astronauts on the International Space Station after speaking with them from the Vatican via a video link May 21, 2011. The Holy Father asked the astronauts how science can help in the pursuit of peace and the need to protect a fragile planet. CNS photo description/L’Osservatore Romano ...read more

To some, the leadership of the Church represents a distant, shadowy club. The term “hierarchy” has been irreparably damaged, so loaded with connotations of stodgy elites isolated in plush curial offices. But those who actually know the leaders of our Church can see a very different image. The Cardinal Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins, is ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing “urbi et orbi,” to the city of Rome and to the world, from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2010. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...read more

Joined by an estimated 80,000 pilgrims, Pope Benedict XVI prayed the Angelus today from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. In his address (translated into English in the video above), the Holy Father reflects on the temptation of Jesus in the desert. This is the second last Angelus address that the Pope will give before ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims after a Mass held on Islinger Field near Regensburg, Germany, Sept. 12, 2006. In a sermon before an estimated 300,000 people, the pope said it was necessary to recognize the modern pathologies associated with reason and religion and the ways that “God’s image can be destroyed ...read more

In the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise announcement on Monday, this week’s Vatican Connections is dedicated to the unfolding events in Rome. The papal resignation is unchartered territory in many ways: the last pope who resigned was Gregory XII in 1415. This week’s Vatican Connections features reactions from the Cardinals who were in the ...read more

Should we care for the holy sites? Or should we care about the Holy Sites? Whose responsibility is it to take care of them? Is it the local Church or the universal Church? In the Holy Land, the place where Jesus lived, there are many important and holy sites; as Catholics, is it our duty ...read more