There’s a 93-year old, 100-foot-tall Norway Spruce in St. Peter’s Square these days. It’s the Vatican’s Christmas tree for this year. The spruce, along with 50 other trees, have been donated by the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone. Speaking to a delegation from the diocese, the Pope says the tree is a significant symbol of the light ...read more

There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him and to speak to others of our friendship with him. Those words are from Pope Benedict XVI’s homily at the Mass inaugurating his Pontificate It’s also the inspiration for ...read more

As you know, in this time of Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, we prepare to welcome our Lord into our hearts.  It is a time of reflection, of penance, but also of subdued joy.  For some though, it can be a difficult time, particularly when December 25th arrives.  The joy of Christmas may ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI’s travel schedule for 2011 is quickly getting booked up after two Apostolic Journeys were announced within seven days. The Holy Father’s participation in World Youth Day Madrid, in August, had been expected for sometime.  In fact back in July he became the first pilgrim to register. It was also announced some weeks ...read more

At 9pm ET / 6pm PT this evening, S+L will premiere the full-length version of Within Your Gates: A Pilgrim Guide to the Holy Land. The film originally aired in May to coincide with the first anniversary of Pope Benedict’s trip to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Tonight’s broadcast includes scenes from the city ...read more

A gathering of the College of Cardinals and a new interview book with Pope Benedict highlight this week in Rome. Catholic News Service’s Carol Glatz and John Thavis have more. To download Flash Player please click here ...read more

The tone of S+L’s latest documentary is set by a lone organ. Playing the instrument is Joe Zambon, a folk singer-songwriter originally from the rural town of Iroquois, Ontario, but now residing in Toronto. A guitar joins the organ moments later, and then the hushed lyrics, “In the darkest night of my soul, God Himself ...read more

On Saturday November 27th the Vatican is uniting with Churches and religious communities around the world to pray for lives that are about to begin. Pope Benedict XVI will preside over the first Vespers of Advent at St. Peter’s Basilica. He will then hold a prayer vigil for nascent life. Salt + Light will bring ...read more

Though “Light of the World” was officially released on Tuesday, many Catholics are still waiting to get their hands on this new book-length interview with Pope Benedict. I informally surveyed Catholic bookstores in the Greater Toronto Area and found that only one retailer has received its first (sold out) shipment. Other retailers expect theirs to ...read more

A few pages into “Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Signs of the Times”, Peter Seewald disappeared. The German journalist had secured one of the world’s most elusive interviews—a one-on-one with the Pope. Since the start of his pontificate, Benedict XVI had until now given only a couple of interviews, apart ...read more