In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict accepts a gift from Canadian Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief David Harper at the end of his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 23, 2011. CNS photo/L’Osservator e Romano via Reuters ...read more

I remember 8 years ago when we heard about the new Pope, Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. I have to be honest, it was a difficult news to digest since we were still mourning the loss of John Paul II. At the time we were working on the second season of our teen series, ...read more

Fr. Tom Rosica, CSB and Sebastian Gomes are working with Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ (above) in the Holy See Press Office during the papal transition.  In his weekly editorial, Fr. Lombardi reflects on the great challenges during these uncertain times, especially regarding the mainstream media.  In the end, he reminds us that authentic media and communications maintain a ...read more

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

This Sunday, live from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Salt + Light Television will broadcast a special Mass of Thanksgiving for the pontificate of Benedict XVI. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Archbishop of Washington, is the principal celebrant and homilist. He will be joined by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Apostolic Nuncio ...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

Reading from a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope, from the Office of Readings for February 22, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Out of the whole world one man, Peter, is chosen to preside at the calling of all nations, and to be set over all the apostles and all the fathers ...read more