February 11 will long be remembered as the day Pope Benedict announced his resignation – the first pontiff in 600 years to do so. But do you recall the event during which he made his stunning declaration? The Holy Father had convoked a meeting of cardinals to vote on three causes for canonization. As expected, ...read more

This week brought another historic moment in church history. As of Thursday, there are two popes living in Vatican City. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI returned to the Vatican after two months living in the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. His helicopter left the papal estate at 4:30pm local time and arrived at the heliport in ...read more

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI pray together in the chapel of the Mater Ecclesia monastery where the retired pope will live from now on. The two prayed side by side, “like brothers.” — Photo by L’Osservatore Romano ...read more

Pope Francis greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI inside the doorway of the Mater Ecclesia monastery in Vatican City. Benedict XVI returned to Vatican City for the first time after his resignation became official on February 28, 2013. — Photo courtesy of L’Osservatore Romano Photographic Service ...read more

Vatican Connections Holy Week edition is here! We walk you through the Holy Week liturgies that will happen at the Vatican and tell you about the new Holy Week tradition Pope Francis has started. We also have details about the Pope’s meeting with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Enjoy. ...read more

Historic Meeting of Two Popes at Castel Gandolfo Speaking exclusively to Vatican Radio, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., reveals the details of this morning’s historic encounter between Pope Francis and Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus, an encounter he has described as a moment of profound and elevated communion: “The ...read more

This was perhaps the most highly anticipated and yet unwanted week for the Vatican. On Thursday Pope Benedict’s resignation officially took effect. The days leading up to the unprecedented event were full of papal “lasts”: his last angelus, the last general audience, and his last meeting with the college of cardinals. This week’s edition of ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict washes the foot of a priest during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome April 5, 2012. The foot-washing ritual reflects the call to imitate Christ by serving one another. CNS/Stefano Spaziani ...read more

Tonight on Perspectives: highlights of Pope Benedict’s historic departure from the Vatican. ...read more

When the Swiss Guards closed the door to the palace at Castel Gandolfo, signifying the absence of a pope, three cardinals were left with the task of guiding the church until a new pope is elected. The Camerlengo, or Chamberlain, begins his work when the See of Peter is vacant. When a Pope dies, the ...read more