Benedict XVI declares resignation

“After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty… [that I am] no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry… from 28 February 2013, at 2000 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the [...]

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World Day of Sick – Pope’s Benedict XVI message

In a message for the 2013 World Day of the Sick, Pope Benedict XVI calls on everyone to be a good Samaritan and concretely help those in need. Thanking those who care for the sick and elderly, the pope underlines the church’s fundamental role in “lovingly and generously accepting every human being, especially [...]

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@Pontifex – Benedict XVI launches his official Twitter account

For the first time in history Pontifex Maximus opens his own social media account. It was announced here and there in prior. And the day has come! Today Pope launched his “personal” – Benedict XVI – account on Twitter supported by Vatican’s communication office. It’s hardly possible Benedict XVI will manage and update [...]

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49th World Day of Prayer For Vocations – Message of the Holy Father

“Vocations, the Gift of the Love of God” is the theme of this year Pope’s message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations (text below) which 49th observation is held worldwide on 4th Sunday of Easter, also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The purpose of the World Day of [...]

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Easter Triduum with Benedict XVI – Holy Thursday – homily during Lord’s Supper

[Vatican, April 5, 2012] At twilight, (5:00PM in Rome) Benedict XVI started the solemn celebration of the Lord’s Supper in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This is the cathedral of the Bishops of Rome. In his homily (full text below) Holy Father highlighted events of the last supper: “To Holy Thursday also [...]

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Easter Triduum with Benedict XVI – Holy Thursday – homily during Crism Mass

[Vatican, April 5, 2012] Traditionally, at “Third Hour of the Day” (9:00AM in Rome), Pope Benedict XVI presided at the solemn Crism Mass. This is the only Eucharist celebrated in morning of Holy Thursday. And it is celebrated only in Cathedrals. Holy Oil, Crism, is consecrated during the Mass. Crism is used for [...]

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Benedict XVI speaks on the 16th World Day of Consecrated Life

Thanks to Pope John Paul II who initiated observance of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord as World Day for Consecrated Life. (In the United States, it is celebrated on Sunday after February 2). In his homily during the solemn Vespers in St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome, Holy Father, Benedict XVI [...]

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World Mission Sunday 2011 – Message of Pope Benedict XVI

World Mission Sunday helps to remind us that poor people in our midst are neither forgotten nor unimportant. It is one day each year (one before lat Sunday of October) when the whole Catholic world unites in supporting missionaries in their distant ministries. The missionaries’ concern for the poorest in society is [...]

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