Visiting Rome synagogue, Pope honours memory of Holocaust victims Pope Benedict XVI greets Rabbi Elio Toaff, the former chief rabbi of Rome, during the Pope’s visit to the main synagogue in Rome on 17 January. Photo: CNS/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME - Laying a wreath at a memorial to Roman Jews rounded up by the Na...

Pope Benedict XVI’s Christmas Vigil Mass homily at the Vatican. It may just change your life. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world, and all men and women, whom the Lord loves! “Lux fulgebit hodie super nos, quia natus est nobis Dominus. A light will shine on us this day, the Lord is born for us” (Roman Missal, Christmas, Entrance Antip...

Four servant-leaders are given esteemed Papal honour.     Monsignor Sean O’Shea, one of the four priests honoured by Pope Benedict, holds his papal medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. The other priests honoured were Monsignor James Nestor, Fr Dan Foley and Fr Pat Cunningham. Photo: Anthony Barich.           ...

‘Pope’s decision beyond our wildest dreams,’  Perth TAC Bishop tells The Record.     TAC Bishop Harry Entwistle. Photo: Anthony Barich.   By Anthony Barich and Robert Hiini   Perth Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) Bishop Harry Entwistle would be happy to serve as a priest under the new provisions set out...

Holiness is still the name of the game, says Pope. STARA BOLESLAV, Czech Republic, SEPT 28, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Holiness is still relevant, says Benedict XVI, and more important than worldly success and glory. The Pope affirmed this when he celebrated Mass in the Czech Republic on the feast of the nation’s patron, St Wenceslaus. The Holy Father’s three day trip to the ...

Pope Benedict XVI's first "social" encyclical breaks new ground on social issues, commentators say. By Nancy Frazier O'Brien Catholic News Service WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI's new encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate" ("Charity in Truth"), breaks new ground on such topics as microfinancing, intellectual property rights, globalization and the...

Pope’s Way of the Cross references perspectives from Asia By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - This year’s meditation for Pope Benedict XVI’s Good Friday Way of the Cross has a distinctly Asian perspective, referring to Hindu scriptures, an Indian poet and Mahatma Gandhi. But the linchpin of this Eastern reflection is the passion of Jesus Christ. In that sense, it...

Pope Benedict’s words at the beginning of his trip to Africa regarding the use of condoms in preventing the spread of AIDS generated a media storm.  But the Pope’s comments are not the cause for concern that they were reported to be, argues Michael Czerny SJ.  Why is the Church’s teaching on this issue not ‘unrealistic and ineffective’, as alleged; but va...

LUANDA, Angola - Pope Benedict XVI strongly defended women’s rights and praised the many “silent heroines” of Africa who are holding families and society together. A girl watches as Pope Benedict XVI arrives to celebrate Mass at Cimangola esplanade in Luanda, Angola, March 22. Angola was the second and last stop on the pope's weeklong pastoral visit to Africa. Photo: CN...

By John Thavis VATICAN CITY (CNS) - In a letter to the world’s bishops, Pope Benedict XVI expressed regret that his lifting of the excommunications of four traditionalist bishops gave rise to a storm of protests and bitterness. Pope Benedict XVI The Pope said the controversy over Bishop Richard Williamson’s statements denying the extent of the Holocaust was “an ...