In another key event today in Benin, Pope Benedict formally signed the Apostolic Exhortation for Africa. The exhortation is titled “Africae Munus”, which means “The Commitment of Africa”. This text is the result of the 2009 Synod of Bishops for Africa. The document touches upon issues such as sacraments, dialogue between various religions and social ...

Pope Benedict began Day 2 of his apostolic journey in Benin when he met with President Yani Bono, diplomatic corp members and those of the government. This all took place in the Presidential Palace in Cotonou. In his address, the Holy Father used the symbol of a hand in speaking about religious diversity in the ...

When’s the last time you thought of the Catholic faith as dynamite? You know, that WOW feeling — where your imagination is enraptured and you appreciate just how amazing the faith is? If you haven’t had the wow feeling in a while or you’re looking for another reason to fall in love with the faith ...

It has been a whirlwind of a day for Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican officials. They are currently in the midst of the Holy Father’s 22nd apostolic voyage, which is taking place in the small West African nation of Benin. The Pope left Rome’s Fiumicino Airport around 9:00am (Rome time). During the six-hour flight, he ...

In the course of history, Popes have not been known for hosting press conferences. But on special occasions, such as apostolic voyages, Pope Benedict takes the time and effort to answer some of the many questions he receives from reporters who travel with him as part of his entourage. This happened again today during the ...

Earlier today, Pope Benedict XVI was welcomed to Benin by Yayi Boni, the President of the West African nation, along with enthusiastic crowds. During a ceremony at the Cardinal Bernard Gantin International Airport, the Holy Father said he was “looking forward to bringing back to African soil the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus.” The Pope ...

On November 27th, the First Sunday of Advent, the new Roman Missal goes into effect. Apart from finding out what parts of the Mass will change, we dig deeper and find out how our liturgical celebration is enriched by the new translation. So we went straight to the source and invited the experts. We engage ...

Fr. Mark Francis, a liturgist at the St. Anselm Pontifical College in Rome and superior general of the Viatorian Fathers, once told to me why seemingly insignificant things in the mass can sometimes cause a great uproar when changed. “As we pray,” he explained, “so we believe.” The Nicene Creed and the Apostles creed we ...

Today Archbishop Richard Smith, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, welcomed a parliamentary report that addresses the care of vulnerable Canadians. His statement follows: The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) welcomes the report by the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care, entitled “Not to be forgotten: Care of Vulnerable Canadians”. The ...

In several hours, Pope Benedict will land in the western African nation of Benin. As was the case with his 21 previous papal visits, he faces a packed schedule — 16 events and 10 speeches over the course of 3 days. On the eve of another arduous trip, Catholic News Service examines the validity of ...