In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict pets a lion cub during an audience with circus performers and music bands in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 1, 2012. CNS photo/Paul Haring ...read more

Published below is a translation of the address that Pope Benedict just delivered in an open-air celebration in St. Peter’s Square. In this moving address to the Church and to the world, he reflected on the past eight years of his papacy and his decision to resign and commit himself to the Church through prayer. ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict takes in the panoramic view from Mount Nebo in Madaba, Jordan, May 9, 2009. Mount Nebo is where Moses glimpsed the Promised Land before dying. The pope was making a week-long pastoral visit to the Holy Land. CNS photo/Greg Tarczynski ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict meets with Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro at the apostolic nunciature in Havana March 28, 2012. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict greets the crowd at the conclusion of the Way of the Cross in Plaza de Cibeles during World Youth Day in Madrid Aug. 19, 2011. CNS photo/Paul Haring ...read more

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

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

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