TheRepublic.com - Pope Benedict XVI News

Pope leads pep rally at Vatican, meets with Merkel

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:27:07 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis lamented that investment losses by banks trigger more alarm in the economic crisis than the struggle of people to feed their families, as he led a huge rally Saturday to invigorate the church's moral conscience, hours after he held talks at the Vatican about the economic crisis with Germany's leader.

Pope blasts "cult of money" that tyrannizes poor

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:25:13 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has denounced the global financial system, blasting the "cult of money" that he says is tyrannizing the poor and turning humans into expendable consumer goods.

Religion: Parish, diocesan experience key to Pope Francis'...

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:48:54 -0400

By TERRY MATTINGLY - There is nothing unusual about a Catholic leader urging priests to draw closer to their flocks, to focus on day-to-day issues that bridge the gap between pulpit and pew.

Pope frees doves from cage in St. Peter's Square

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:36:03 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Two doves celebrated their freedom with a soaring flight over St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, all thanks to Pope Francis.

Africa, Asia see boom in priests as Europe withers

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:48:25 -0400

VATICAN CITY - The number of Catholic priests in Africa and Asia has shot up over the past decade while decreasing in Europe, mirroring trends in the numbers of Catholic faithful that helped lead to the election of Pope Francis as the first non-European pope in over a millennium.

Pope Francis gives church hundreds of new saints

Sun, 12 May 2013 09:17:10 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Sunday gave the Catholic Church new saints, including hundreds of 15th-century martyrs who were beheaded for refusing to convert to Islam, as he led his first canonization ceremony Sunday in a packed St. Peter's Square.

2 popes praying: Egyptian Copt and Pope Francis

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:58:13 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Two popes prayed together Friday at the Vatican, one Catholic and one Orthodox, in a sign of improving ties following the election of new leaders for both churches.

Vatican: Mexico's folk Death Saint is blasphemous

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:07:05 -0400

MEXICO CITY - The Vatican's culture minister says Mexico's folk Death Saint is a blasphemous symbol that shouldn't be part of any religion.

Puerto Rico Catholics support archbishop

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:31:52 -0400

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Roman Catholics in Puerto Rico rallied Wednesday around an archbishop who is apparently under pressure from the Vatican to resign for allegedly covering up for sexually abusive priests and other misdeeds.

Harrisburg bishop hailed as tireless church leader

Wed, 08 May 2013 17:32:41 -0400

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania - Mourners turned out by the hundreds Wednesday for the funeral of Roman Catholic Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, a spiritual leader of 250,000 central Pennsylvanians, as colleagues hailed him as a tireless advocate for his church.

Benedict XVI returns to Vatican for first time

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:21:07 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI came home to the Vatican on Thursday for the first time since he resigned Feb. 28, beginning an unprecedented era for the Catholic Church of having a retired pontiff living alongside a reigning one.

Israel's Peres: Pope must push for Mideast peace

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:16:06 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Israeli President Shimon Peres says Pope Francis should use his influence to press for peace in the Middle East, and invited the pontiff for a visit.

Benedict XVI returns to Vatican Thursday

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:25:15 -0400

VATICAN CITY - Retired Pope Benedict XVI is coming home.

Leftist priests: Francis can fix church 'in ruins'

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:13:47 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - A new pope from Latin America known for ministering to the poor in his country's slums is raising the hopes of advocates of liberation theology, whose leftist social activism had alarmed previous pontiffs.

Vatican official: Romero saint effort 'unblocked'

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:26:37 -0400

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican official spearheading the case to make slain Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador a saint said Tuesday the process is moving forward under Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, after years of delay under previous popes.

Ex-bishop's widow wants optional priestly celibacy

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:28:14 -0400

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - She uses a wheelchair and carries the weight of her 87 years, but Clelia Luro feels powerful enough to make the Roman Catholic Church pay attention to her campaign to end priestly celibacy.