By Leanna Cappiello (S+L) New York When I found out about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, I was far away from home, on leave from work at the Holy See Mission. I was sitting in a chair in the early morning sunrise, reading a book. I was not connected to the internet and did not expect ...

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict speaks to prelates at the end of his prayers at the Vatican March 3, 2012. The pope and top Vatican officials were on a weeklong Lenten retreat. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano ...

  If you click the image above, you will be led to an interactive media element showing you the details of the upcoming Papal Conclave. This is really cool and full of fascinating information. This makes learning about the upcoming conclave fun. Source: vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/come-si-elegge-il-papa * Please consider donating to Salt + Light this Lent ...

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict prays May 15, 2009 inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at the spot which marks the place Jesus was crucified at Golgatha. The church in the Old City of Jerusalem was one of the last places the pope visited during his weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land. CNS photo/Yannis ...

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict waves to astronauts on the International Space Station after speaking with them from the Vatican via a video link May 21, 2011. The Holy Father asked the astronauts how science can help in the pursuit of peace and the need to protect a fragile planet. CNS photo description/L’Osservatore Romano ...

To some, the leadership of the Church represents a distant, shadowy club. The term “hierarchy” has been irreparably damaged, so loaded with connotations of stodgy elites isolated in plush curial offices. But those who actually know the leaders of our Church can see a very different image. The Cardinal Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins, is ...

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing “urbi et orbi,” to the city of Rome and to the world, from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2010. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...

Joined by an estimated 80,000 pilgrims, Pope Benedict XVI prayed the Angelus today from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. In his address (translated into English in the video above), the Holy Father reflects on the temptation of Jesus in the desert. This is the second last Angelus address that the Pope will give before ...

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims after a Mass held on Islinger Field near Regensburg, Germany, Sept. 12, 2006. In a sermon before an estimated 300,000 people, the pope said it was necessary to recognize the modern pathologies associated with reason and religion and the ways that “God’s image can be destroyed ...

Last Monday, Benedict XVI announced that he will be retiring as Pope on February 28. This week, Frank Rocca, Rome Bureau Chief for Catholic News Service joins us to explain. Gillian Kantor tells us what her kids taught her this week and we meet singer/songwriter/worship leader/speaker and comedian Nick Alexander who shares some of his ...