On Saturday, March 16, Pope Francis gathered thousands of journalists and media agencies from nearly 82 countries inside the Paul VI Audience Hall. In his address, the Holy Father spoke of how the role of mass media continues to grow and how it is indispensable for telling the stories of contemporary society. Published below is ...read more

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, a member of the Society of Jesus, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936. Serving as Archbishop of Buenos Aires before the papal election, Pope Francis I was ordained a Jesuit priest on December 13, 1969. He completed his studies in theology at the Faculty ...read more

As anyone following newspapers, blogs, newscasts, and social media will know, media coverage of the papal transition can range from the minute to the absurd. What are the issues the media should be talking about? How does a Catholic spokesperson inform an often misinformed society? On today’s episode of “Perspectives Conclave Special”, S+L Producer Kris ...read more

If you joined us earlier this morning, you saw a spectacular liturgy from inside St. Peter’s Basilica. During this Mass, called the Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass, the cardinals prayed for the election of a new Supreme Pontiff. Salt + Light will continue its in-depth analysis and reporting throughout the coming days. We will be ...read more

Earlier this morning at the Vatican, the College of Cardinals gathered inside St. Peter’s Basilica for a Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass. This Mass was the final step before the opening of today’s conclave. Published below is an official translation of the homily, as delivered by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, main celebrant and Dean of the ...read more

Over the past few days in our mini-blog series, Getting to Habemus Papam we invited you to remember the conclaves which have elected the Popes of the past two centuries. In fact, we went one step further and thought you might also enjoy using this timeline to browse your way back and forth through the ...read more

Salt and Light producer Sebastian Gomes sits down with John Allen Jr. to discuss possible candidates for the Papacy. John is a multi-awarded journalist who specializes in Vatican affairs. ...read more

Photo: Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel at the beginning of the conclave at the Vatican on April 18, 2005. The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013.  A Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica in the ...read more

In the weeks leading up to the conclave the Cardinals are meeting in Rome to discuss the state of the Church and the profile of the new pope. It is no secret that questions of administration and governance at the Vatican have been raised. But there are also serious conversations going on about evangelization, inter-religious dialogue, ...read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet with Peter Mansbridge and cameraman Dave Rae. (Sebastian Gomes) CBC. Standing on the rooftop of his apartment building in Vatican City, Marc Ouellet pointed across St. Peter’s Square towards the building that houses the Pope’s residence. “I used to come up here often in the evenings and I’d always see the lights on, ...read more