As Pope Benedict XVI was meeting with students at St. Mary’s University College in Twickenham, London, the news was revealed that police in London had arrested five men suspected of posing a risk to the Pope’s security. Scotland Yard, the British police force, told reporters the five men were arrested at 5:40am London time. The ...read more

Pope Benedict met with leaders of other religions this morning in London. Before speaking, Chief Rabbi of London Lord Jonathan Sacks gave an address, as did the director of the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts Dr. Khaled Azzam.  Rabbi Sacks offered a great comment noting that we live in an “information saturated” but “wisdom starved ...read more

In a moving address to an assembly of students at St. Mary’s University College in Twickenham, the Holy Father challenged the young people to see all of the work they do in the context of growing in friendship with God. My question for you is this: what are the qualities you see in others that ...read more

It was a quaint gathering at St. Mary’s College in Twickenham this morning on day 2 of Pope Benedict’s visit to the UK. After having spent yesterday in Scotland, the Holy Father made his way to London and then this morning to the school in Twickenham, a suburb just west of London. The Holy Father ...read more

As the Pope landed in Scotland today, he might have said a prayer of thanksgiving that, on top of all the other issues he will deal with, the smoldering ashes of a Quran is not among them. At the local, diocesan and Vatican levels, Catholics loudly condemned the planned burning of the Muslim holy book ...read more

An estimated 80,000 people gathered in Bellahouston Park for Mass with Pope Benedict XVI today. In the lead up to Mass, the faithful were treated to a musical presentation . It was truly a festival of faith; the Sydney World Youth Day theme song was part of the repertoire, and Susan Boyle sang a moving ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI donned a specially designed Papal tartan over his shoulders as he traveled from Holyroodhouse Palace to the Archbishop of Edinburgh’s residence.  His route was part of a St. Ninian Day parade; the feast of the 5th century Bishop is celebrated today in Scotland. The tartan itself has great symbolism.  The white line ...read more

It’s a grey overcast day in London, nothing new there. Despite the fact that London is home to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II there is undeniably an air of anticipation in the city. Although the British media has been highlighting all the reasons the Holy Father should not be visiting the UK or why taxpayers ...read more

This morning at 5:30 am EST (10:30am local time), Pope Benedict XVI landed in Edinburgh, Scotland. This journey is history in the making; it is the first ever state-visit to the UK by a Pope. Shortly after the Holy Father’s arrival, we spoke to CNS’ Rome bureau chief, John Thavis who was aboard the flight ...read more

Who really is Cardinal John Henry Newman? Back when I was a student involved in the Newman Centre at Queen’s University, I confess that I knew nothing about the life and works of the centre’s namesake. Now, having spent the past few weeks researching him for Catholic Focus, I’ve learned that it’s not an easy ...read more