Following the guilty plea of the Most Rev. Raymond Lahey, former Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the following statement has been issued by Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: The Most Reverend Raymond Lahey, former Bishop of Antigonish, has pled guilty to possession of child pornography. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops condemns all forms of ...read more

“Do something beautiful for God.” That’s the advice that Leonardo Defilippis received from Mother Teresa. The stage actor responded by dedicating his life to bringing the story of saints to the stage and screen through his company Saint Luke Productions. He’s told the stories of St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. Francis, as well as the ...read more

The Catholic blogosphere has touched down in Rome. Catholic News Service has more on the meeting between Catholic bloggers and Vatican officials. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

On May 1st we celebrated the Beatification of John Paul II. That 1.5 million (!) people gathered in Rome for this historic event is a testament to the connection that the Polish Pontiff had with the faithful. He was a great communicator — and some consider that one of the lasting hallmarks of his life. ...read more

The following is the full text of the homily of Pope Benedict XVI, preached today at the Mass of Beatification of John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square. Homily of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Beatification of Pope John Paul II Sunday, 1 May 2011 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Six years ago we gathered in ...read more

The following is an unofficial English translation of the Rite of Beatification of John Paul II, pronounced moments ago in St. Peter’s Square. RITE OF BEATIFICATION 1. CARDINAL AGOSTINO VALLINI, VICAR GENERAL OF ROME: Beatissimo Padre, il Vicario Generale di Vostra Santità per la Diocesi di Roma domanda umilmente alla Santità Vostra di voler iscrivere ...read more

The theme song for World Youth Day 2000, held in Rome began with the lines, “from many roads we come to Rome, following the footsteps of faith.” Today, St. Peter’s is again a meeting point for the youth of world, this time to celebrate the man who taught them that they have an indispensable place ...read more

The crowds shouted “Santo Subito” — Sainthood now! – at his funeral, and now some six years later he’ll be joining the ranks of the saints! This Sunday Pope John Paul II will be declared Blessed. Our coverage for the Beatification Mass begins at 3:30am ET/12:30am PT on May 1st, and includes our production Thank ...read more

Do you have a “JP II moment”? Most of us do. This charismatic man was a fixture in my life. He was all I ever knew as Pope until the ripe old age of 20! To be sure (and later to be reinforced over and over): he shaped my experience of the Church and, in ...read more