Upon Pope Benedict’s arrival at the International Airport of Guanajuato, Mexico the region has reason to celebrate. Although Blessed Pope John Paul II visited Mexico five times, he never went to Guanajuato – known as the most Catholic state of Mexico. In his opening address the Holy Father warmly greets the Mexican faithful as a ...read more

By Patricia Zapor Catholic News Service HAVANA (CNS) — The Catholic Church that Pope Benedict XVI will visit March 26-28 is, to put it simply, more. Since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1998, the church is more unified, more public, more likely to work with the government in accomplishing specific goals, more involved in ...read more

Below is Pope Benedict’s homily, as delivered at the Basilica of San Gregorio al Celio during vespers in Rome. On March 10 he presided at vespers, along with Archbishop Rowan Williams of Canterbury, leader of the Anglican Church. Your Grace, Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Monks and Nuns of Camaldoli, Dear Brothers and Sisters, ...read more

Recently, we met with several priests from the Archdiocese of Toronto and asked them what they loved about being priests. The answers were varied and inspiring. For me, the most moving was Fr. Peter Marr who said, “I love that I can bring more love, more healing into the world, which is so broken, and ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI.  For March 2012, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Contribution of Women. That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society. Persecuted Christians. That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who ...read more

I have many fond memories of the years I spent studying with the Benedictines in Collegeville, Minnesota. That Abbey-University combination is quite unique, and it fosters a really vibrant academic (and especially theological) atmosphere. Such a place tends to draw influential people to it, and so on more than one occasion – and often to ...read more

As we continue with Day 2 of our Consistory coverage, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass this morning in St. Peter’s Basilica with 22 new Cardinals who were inducted at yesterday’s Ordinary Public Consistory. Included among the concelebrants was the Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Cardinal Collins. During his homily, on this the feast of the Chair ...read more

This morning in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict created 22 new Cardinals at an Ordinary Public Consistory. Included among them was the Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Thomas Collins. During his address, the Holy Father told the new Cardinals that the scarlet colour of their robes and birettas is a symbol of martyrdom. Like Christ, and ...read more

Below is Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It will be celebrated in the Universal Church on April 29, which is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The message is dated Oct. 18, however, it was released by the Vatican Feb. 13. Dear Brothers and Sisters, The 49th World Day of ...read more

A prayer vigil was held at Rome’s St. Ignatius Church on Dec. 7 to show contrition for clerical sexual abuse. The service was led by Canada’s Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who currently serves as prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops. Below is the full text of his homily. My venerable brother bishops and priests and ...read more