Many in Germany haven’t always had an easy relationship with the conservative-minded Pope Benedict XVI, but most on Monday praised their countryman’s courage in deciding to step down from his position amid failing health. Chancellor Angela Merkel, a Protestant, said that the 85-year-old pope’s decision that he was no longer fit enough to continue in Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Pope Benedict XVI’
Angela Merkel: Pope Benedict one of the most important religious thinkers of our time
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013Benedict wont be the last pope to quit
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign is likely to be repeated by future pontiffs, a professor of theology says. Professor Neil Ormerod, from the Australian Catholic University, says the Pope’s resignation shows that being the head of the Catholic Church does not have to be a life-long role. “His resignation is a precedent for other Read more
Pope Benedict’s resignation speech
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are Read more
Benedict’s resignation leaves a mixed legacy and raises lots of questions
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
There was “absolute silence” this morning when the Pope told cardinals that he decided to resign, according to Mexican prelate Monsignor Oscar Sanchez, who witnessed his resignation. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the pope took his decision “aware of the great problems the church faces today”. His decision showed “great courage” and “determination”, Lombardi said. Lombardi Read more
Evangelisation is greatest work of charity, says Pope
Tuesday, February 5th, 2013
The greatest work of charity is evangelisation, Pope Benedict XVI declares in his Lenten message for 2013, in which he cautions against the tendency to reduce the term “charity” to solidarity or simply humanitarian aid. Preaching the Gospel, the Pope says, is actually the greatest act of charity, since it involves “the highest and the Read more
Lack of faith can harm marriage bond, says Benedict XVI
Friday, February 1st, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI believes the world’s current crisis of faith in God has caused a crisis for the Christian vision of marriage, even to the extent that lack of faith could affect the validity of a marriage bond. “Faith in God, sustained by divine grace, is therefore a very important element for living in mutual Read more
Pope: God still calls people to be priests and religious
Friday, December 21st, 2012God still calls people to a life of complete dedication in the priesthood and the consecrated life, Pope Benedict XVI writes in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on April 21, 2013. “Today too, Jesus continues to say, ‘Come, follow me’.” “The love of God sometimes follows paths one could never Read more
Right to work is needed for peace, says Pope
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
In a wide-ranging message for the World Day of Peace on January 1, Pope Benedict XVI says peace is threatened by a much broader set of causes than war, terrorism and international crime. Peace involves the human person as a whole, the Pope says, so true peacemakers defend human life at every stage of its Read more
Pope’s first tweet goes viral
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Having launched his Twitter account, Pope Benedict XVI has committed himself to approving a tweeted response to three questions a day from around the world. He made his Twitter debut on December 12 to his more than a million followers. The Pope’s first tweet, just one character short of the 140 maximum, was: “Dear friends, Read more
‘Crusty’ Pope portrayed as out of touch in electricity ad
Friday, December 14th, 2012
Powershop, a state owned enterprise, has entered the political arena by erecting a number of four-and-half-storey high billboards which suggest the Catholic Church is an example of how “large institutions can sometimes lose touch with their modern constituents.” The Pope is used as a symbol of “crusty utilities, many of whom remain resistant to the Read more