News reports about Pope Benedict’s health invariably mention that he has taken on a lighter schedule over the past several months. This is only partly true. While it’s indisputable that the Pope made only two international trips in 2012 — to Mexico and Cuba in March, and Lebanon in September — his daily schedule could ...read more

Catholic New Service reported yesterday on the opening of the Pontifical Council for Culture’s plenary meeting. Here is that  report. By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When the head of the Pontifical Council for Culture said he wanted to listen to what today’s young people had to say, he wasn’t afraid ...read more

Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Pontifical Council for Social Communications 47th World Communications Day Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization Dear Brothers and Sisters, As the 2013 World Communications Day draws near, I would like to offer you some reflections on an increasingly important reality regarding the way in ...read more

Earlier today in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI baptized 20 babies inside the Sistine Chapel. There was an underlying tone in Benedict’s address this year. He urged couples and godparents to lead their lives as an example of true Christian virtue even though it may seem unfashionable. If you missed this morning’s festivities from Rome, join ...read more

Check out our newest show, Vatican Connections. Its a weekly look at whats been going on at the Vatican: announcements, special events, appointments and interviews with our own Vatican connections. This week, the Vatican is having some banking problems, and we’ll explain why. Also we look at the Taize Community’s gathering at the Vatican over ...read more

Every year on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Benedict takes part in a special tradition: he celebrates Mass in the Sistine Chapel with Vatican workers who have had babies in the last year. He also baptizes the new ones. This tradition originally began with Pope John Paul II in the first ...read more

Below is the text of the Holy Father’s message for the World Day of the Sick which will take place February 11, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, 1. On 11 February 2013, the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Twenty-first World Day of the Sick will be solemnly celebrated at the Marian Shrine ...read more

Financial Reform under Francis In six months Pope Francis has implemented more changes to the Vatican’s financial system than his predecessor did during his entire pontificate. Since he was elected, Pope Francis has appointed a new interim prelate for the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), commonly referred to as the Vatican Bank, created three ...read more

When Christmas is near, we all become traditionalists. Even the most anti-establishment types among us are horrified by attempts to alter our treasured rituals. As one example, Toronto shoppers were aghast at the unveiling of the modernized Christmas tree in the Eaton Centre shopping mall. Replacing the traditional, Swarovski-bedazzled faux-fir of years past, this year’s ...read more

Solemnity of Christ the King – November 25, 2012 Homily of Pope Benedict XVI Your Eminences, Dear Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today’s Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe, the crowning of the liturgical year, is enriched by our reception into the College of Cardinals of six new members whom, following tradition, ...read more