The Homily of the Holy Father at Holy Mass in Freiburg: Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is moving for me to be here once again to celebrate this Eucharist, this Thanksgiving, with so many people from different parts of Germany and the neighbouring countries.  We offer our thanks above all to God, in whom we ...read more

Today Pope Benedict XVI met with the Council of the Central Committee of German Catholics: Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am grateful for this opportunity to come together, here in Freiburg, with you, the Council Members of the Central Committee for German Catholics (ZdK). I gladly express to you my appreciation for your work in ...read more

Pope Benedict’s words to young people at the prayer vigil in Freiburg, Germany: Dear young friends, Throughout today I have been looking forward to this evening, and to this opportunity to be together with you and to join you in prayer. No doubt some of you were present at World Youth Day, where we were ...read more

The following is the Homily of the Holy Father given at Holy Mass in Erfurt, Cathedral Square: Dear Brothers and Sisters, “Praise the Lord at all times, for he is good.”  These are the words that we sang just before the Gospel.  Yes, we truly have reason to thank God with our whole hearts.  If ...read more

Huge crowds gathered to join the Holy Father as he celebrated Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Below find his words to the thousands of German faithful gathered at Etzelsbach: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Now I am able to fulfill my wish to visit Eichsfeld, and here in Etzelsbach to thank Mary in company with ...read more

This morning the Holy Father met with the Council of the Evangelical Germany Church in Erfurt, in a former Augustinian Convent. A historic moment as this place is where Martin Luther was ordained a Catholic priest in 1507. Ladies and Gentlemen, As I begin to speak, I would like first of all to thank you ...read more

Pope Benedict arrived in his native journey this morning. Salt + Light’s coverage (on TV and streaming online) of the four-day papal visit begins today at 10:00am ET. Today’s schedule is below: Highlights of Pope Benedict’s arrival at the Berlin Tegel International Airport, including the Welcome Ceremony at Bellevue Castle 10:00am – 10:15am ET / ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Germany this morning. During the welcoming ceremony, attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Christian Wulff, the Holy Father said he had “not come primarily to pursue particular political or economic goals … but rather to meet people and to  speak about God.” Mr President of the Federal Republic, Ladies ...read more

Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service’s Rome correspondent, gives us an overview of Pope Benedict’s recently-completed trip to Madrid, Spain for World Youth Day. ...read more

Today, CNS Rome Correspondent Carol Glatz tells us about Pope Benedict XVI’s General Audience on the importance of finding times and places for silence, and about how silence naturally leads to prayer. ...read more