The “Vatileaks” scandal was one in a long series of recent Vatican scandals, and sadly it was not the last. Something of the dark irony of the scandal – “the Butler done it” – may have prevented people from seeing the seriousness of the incident. In reality it’s one of the most serious security breaches Read more
As more than 50,000 supporters jammed into St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for Pope Benedict’s next-to-last weekly blessing, as it emerged the ageing pontiff may have gone blind in one eye, reports the LA Times. New evidence is emerging of Benedict’s declining physical condition. Peter Seewald, a German journalist who has interviewed Benedict on numerous Read more
Because of declining church attendances and financial difficulties, hundreds of Catholic and Protestant churches in Germany are closing. One estimate is that 15,000 of the 45,000 churches in the country will soon be no longer needed. “These buildings are simply too opulent, too empty and too expensive to maintain, something akin to an aging grandmother Read more
Pope Benedict received a prolonged standing ovation (video) in his first appearance since announcing his resignation. The pope was in St Peter’s Square to deliver his Ash Wednesday message. Before delivering his message he took time to thank the faithful for their kindness and saying that during these last few days he could almost feel the Read more
The Vatican is acknowledging for the first time that Pope Benedict XVI has had a pacemaker for years and that its battery was replaced a few months ago in secret. Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said Benedict had the pacemaker installed “a long time” before he became pope in 2005. He called the latest medical Read more
Just as Joseph Ratzinger’s election was a surprise to some, the way he leaves the papacy surely surprises us all. For although the word from Rome was Benedict was working less and his minders working overtime, I would have been less surprised to wake and learn that Pope Benedict had sadly passed away. For people Read more
Today, just hours after Pope Benedict announced his resignation as pope, a freak thunderstorm swept over Rome and a lightning bolt struck St Peter’s dome. The thunderstorm was labelled a ‘freak occurrence’. While not unknown in winter, thunderstorms are more likely to hit Rome in spring or summer. Benedict shocked the Consistory and the world saying Read more
The conclave that will elect Benedict XVI’s successor will have 117 members on the day his resignation becomes official, at the end of this month. There are 61 Europeans, 19 Latin Americans, 14 North Americans, 11 Africans, 11 Asians and one from Oceania among the voters. Benedict XVI will not participate in the conclave. The Read more
Pope Benedict XVI, who is stepping down at the end of this month, will become the first pope in six centuries to resign the papal office. The rarity of such an event raises many questions about Catholic law and its handling of this historic transition. For insights, Law Blog spoke with two experts at the Read more
President Obama praised Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, just hours after the pontiff announced his resignation. “On behalf of Americans everywhere, Michelle and I wish to extend our appreciation and prayers to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI,” Obama said in a written statement. The president said he “warmly” remembers the meeting he and the first Read more