After an eventful first couple of days in the UK, Pope Benedict got off to a busy start this morning. The day began with several untelevised meetings with political leaders of the UK including a meeting with England’s Prime Minister, the Right Honourable David Cameron, as well as courtesy calls with Deputy Prime Minister, the ...read more

The Pope’s afternoon on day two of his UK visit is one not soon to be forgotten. The events, the public figures, the speeches and the ideas put forth have all paved the way for a new and positive direction for the role of faith in society. His visit to Westminster Hall drew a crowd ...read more

It was an appropriate beginning to evening prayer at Westminster Abbey. The procession featured three banners — one of St. George, one of St. Edward the Confessor, and one of St. Peter. St. George is the patron of England, a beloved saint for Anglicans.  St. Peter, of course is beloved by Catholics.  St. Edward the ...read more

For many Catholics, their first encounter with Cardinal John Henry Newman is on a university campus. It’s a natural association, given Newman’s experience as a rector, which informed his volume of discourses The Idea of a University. Still, I was surprised to learn, while researching for Catholic Focus, that the first Newman Club was established ...read more

Concern for Christians in the Middle East.  Fighting world hunger and disease.  Continuing theological dialogue. These were just three of the topics discussed in the private meeting between Pope Benedict and Archbishop Rowan Williams. Read more on the closed door meeting at Lambeth Palace from a joint communiqué released Friday afternoon: Fifty years after the ...read more

A warm embrace. That was how Pope Benedict was greeted as he met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams.  It was as if His Grace flew to meet the Holy Father as he stepped out of his car, arriving at the Archbishop’s residence, Lambeth Palace. The Holy Father emphasized the importance of praying ...read more

By now you’ve probably noticed that Pope Benedict XVI happens to be in UK. Despite the sometimes threatening media coverage leading up to his visit, the Pope has forged onward; undaunted and perhaps even bolder in his addresses to the people of the UK than we could have imagined. Some of you are probably wondering: ...read more

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