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The best in Catholic news from across the Archdiocese of Perth
Pope Benedict changes rituals for new pope’s inauguration
Pope Benedict XVI has ordered several changes to the Masses and liturgies that will mark the inauguration of the next pope’s pontificate.
While @Pontifex hibernates during interregnum, @TerzaLoggia set to fly
The pope’s @Pontifex Twitter fans will get two more tweets before the account goes into “hibernation” during the “sede vacante” period starting when Pope Benedict XVI steps down.
Between popes: Vatican business continues as usual — almost
When Pope Benedict XVI officially leaves office at 8 p.m. Feb. 28, most of the top-level Vatican officials lose their jobs, but that does not mean the majority of Vatican employees get a vacation.
Age matters: Popes elected as young as 24, as old as 81
Ambrogio Piazzoni, vice prefect of the Vatican Library and author of a book on the history of papal elections, distributed a sheet of “some curiosities” about elections to reporters Feb. 21, the day after briefing journalists at the Vatican.
Cardinal Pell says age, nationality will count in conclave
Sydney Cardinal George Pell, 71, said age, nationality and pastoral experience will be among the factors the cardinals consider when voting for a new pope.
Pope delivers personal, emotional farewell address at audience
On his last full day as pope, Pope Benedict XVI delivered an unusually personal and emotional farewell address, thanking the faithful around the world for their support and assuring them that he would remain in their service even in retirement.
Flurry of personnel appointments mark last days of pontificate
In the 18 days between announcing his resignation and leaving office, Pope Benedict XVI named 19 new bishops and accepted the resignations of seven others.
Faithful throw big farewell at pope’s last general audience
The last general audience in St. Peter’s Square turned into a farewell party with balloons, flowers, flags, posters, cheers, standing ovations and a touching thank-you speech from Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Benedict to be ‘pope emeritus’ or ‘Roman pontiff emeritus’
Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be known as Pope Benedict and addressed as “His Holiness,” but after his resignation, he will add the title “emeritus” in one of two acceptable forms, either “pope emeritus” or “Roman pontiff emeritus.”
Conclave start date might not be known until after March 4
It is possible the world’s cardinals will not begin meeting at the Vatican until March 4, and they cannot set a start date for the conclave until they have met, the Vatican spokesman said.
