The Vatican Secretariat of State has issued a statement on the upcoming conclave and the external influence of various news stories. Read the full text here: The freedom of the College of Cardinals, which is responsible for providing under the law for the election of the Roman Pontiff, has always been strongly defended by the ...read more

Six degrees of separation. Globalization. Social Media By Karen Hamilton (The Rev. Dr.) General Secretary, The Canadian Council of Churches I could continue to use stereotypical phrases and images that are familiar to us all and that, each in their own way, have some part in explaining some of the ways that we relate to ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI lies on the floor of St. Peter’s Basilica during the Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion service April 6, 2007. CNS photo/Danilo Schiavella, Reuters ...read more

It has been nearly two weeks since Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by announcing his resignation. Last week we looked at his announcement and the reaction from the cardinals who were first hand witnesses to the historic moment. This week we look at the questions that have begin to arise: what will happen to ...read more

By Warren Schmidt (S+L) Toronto “The pope resigned.” These words, spoken to me by a Basilian confrere, were the first words I heard on Monday, 11 February, the morning after Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would be stepping down from the Petrine office on 28 February 2013. Besides my initial dumbfounded reaction to this ...read more

The Archdiocese of Milan has instituted an international contest in memory of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini who led the archdiocese from 1980 to 2002. The Carlo Maria Martini International Award is open to everyone over the age of 18.  Participants must submit a written work or a project outline that either raises awareness of Carinal ...read more

Today’s snapshot is of Pope Benedict’s first tweet on his Twitter account @Pontifex Dec. 12, 2012 in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. CNS photo/L ‘Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...read more

Edmonton (S+L) By Shamin Malmas Between 1890 and 1920 Archbishop Legal created three amazing photograph albums which are safely stored in The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton Archives temperature and humidity controlled vault. Each album contains over a hundred photographs of churches, hospitals, schools and other catholic institutions. As he traveled to parishes and mission, visiting ...read more

By Leanna Cappiello (S+L) New York When I found out about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, I was far away from home, on leave from work at the Holy See Mission. I was sitting in a chair in the early morning sunrise, reading a book. I was not connected to the internet and did not expect ...read more

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