After a moving prayer vigil in London’s Hyde Park Pope Benedict XVI boarded a helicopter to Birmingham this morning to celebrate the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Blessed John Henry Newman is an important figure for both British Catholics and Anglicans. He began his adult life as an Anglican priest and during that time ...read more

It was a moving scene as thousands of candles glittered in the descending dusk in London’s Hyde park this evening during the vigil for the eve of Cardinal Newman’s beatification. The Holy Father’s transit took nearly an hour as the popemobile snaked leisurely through the streets amid the cheering faithful; many of whom were bearing ...read more

The Successor of St. Peter visited the residents of St. Peter today — a home for the elderly run by the Little Sisters of the Poor in the London borough of Lambeth. The Pope greeted some of the elderly and offered a beautiful address. He noted that “care for the elderly should be considered not ...read more

Five survivors of clergy sex abuse met with Pope Benedict on Saturday. The meeting lasted between 30 and 40 minutes. The chairman of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission Bill Kilgallon says he spoke to the victims before hand and said they were “understandably quite emotional.” Vatican Press office director Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, described the ...read more

As we count down the hours until Cardinal Newman’s beatification in Birmingham, England, it’s time to take a crash course in just who the Church is honouring. After all, this is the first Mass of beatification that Benedict XVI will personally celebrate during his pontificate. (While canonizations are held in the Vatican, the recent norm ...read more

Pope Benedict is unable to visit Wales, but he’s sending a greeting via our Blessed Mother The Holy Father lit a candle at the statue of Our Lady of Cardigan, or Our Lady of the Taper, which was at St. Paul’s side chapel in Westminster Cathedral.  Our Lady is honoured under that name in Wales.  ...read more

I ask each of you, first and foremost, to look into your own heart. Think of all the love that your heart was made to receive, and all the love it is meant to give. After all, we were made for love. These phrases from the Holy Father’s address to the young people in the ...read more

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