Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict’s secretary reflects on awful 2020 with German Magazine

01/03/2021 at 5:08 PM By Kevin Edward White

CNA Staff, Jan 1, 2021 / 01:29 pm MT (CNA).- Archbishop Georg Gänswein has spoken about life with Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and a personally challenging year. "I'm grateful to God that 2020 is finally over," the 64-year-old told the German tabloid magazine “Bunte”, saying Rome had at times... read more

Benedict XVI: In ‘new totalitarianism,’ opposing abortion means ‘social excommunication’

11/21/2020 at 11:21 AM By Mary Anne Hackett

'Modern society intends to formulate an anti-Christian creed: whoever contests it is punished with social excommunication.' By Antonio Socci November 17, 2020 (Libero) — Last May there was controversy over the anticipation of some statements made by Benedict XVI to Peter Seewald published... read more

Retired pope declines his late brother’s inheritance

11/03/2020 at 1:48 PM By Kevin Edward White

The estate of Georg Ratzinger goes to the Holy See Catholic News Service, November 03, 2020 Retired Pope Benedict XVI has declined the inheritance of his brother Georg, who died in July, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA. [Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI] carried the memories... read more

The Church Can’t Change Christ’s Doctrine and Won’t Give Up on Souls

10/30/2020 at 11:12 AM By Mary Anne Hackett

“Respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behavior or to legal recognition of homosexual unions.” Regis Martin Blog, October 28, 2020 Hilaire Belloc, who died in 1953, was a writer I greatly admired — indeed, whose splendid prose, as his friend... read more

Vatican and China Renew Deal Over Appointment of Bishops

10/22/2020 at 11:47 AM By Mary Anne Hackett

The Vatican also offered a lengthy defense of the agreement, saying that “processes for new episcopal appointments are underway, some at an early stage, others at an advanced stage.” Edward Pentin Blog, October 22, 2020 VATICAN CITY — The Holy See has announced it has renewed its... read more

Pope Francis Calls for Civil Union Law for Same-Sex Couples, in Shift From Vatican Stance?

10/21/2020 at 11:40 AM By Mary Anne Hackett

The film chronicles the approach of Pope Francis to pressing social issues, and to pastoral ministry among those who live, in the words of the pontiff, “on the existential peripheries.” Catholic News Agency, Vatican, October 21, 2020 ROME — In a documentary that premiered Wednesday in... read more

Judging by the Record

09/05/2020 at 4:49 PM By Mary Anne Hackett

A NOTE FROM OUR PUBLISHER: It is one thing to judge someone’s heart or motivation. It is another thing entirely to take them at their word and judge their very public actions and positions. By Michael Warsaw, Sepetember 5, 2020 Former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz addressed the... read more

Catholic historian: If Cdl. Zen rightly criticizes Vatican Ostpolitik, why not ‘catastrophic’ Vatican II?

08/23/2020 at 3:33 PM By Mary Anne Hackett

‘The Ostpolitik that Cardinal Zen criticizes, is, in fact, fruit of the Second Vatican Council. This is historical evidence that does not admit denials.’ By Roberto de Mattei August 21, 2020 (Rorate Caeli) — Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun is an eminent prelate who sincerely loves his... read more

Banish Sin, Transform the Church

08/22/2020 at 3:42 PM By Mary Anne Hackett

David G Bonagura, Jr., August 16, 2020 The Second Vatican Council is back in the news lately, with two prominent, tradition-minded bishops revisiting well-known arguments of conciliar interpretation in light two recent Vatican documents, Amoris Laetitia and the Abu Dhabi statement [1] on world... read more

Archbishop Gänswein: Benedict XVI’s Illness Is ‘Subsiding’

08/11/2020 at 10:32 AM By Kevin Edward White

The Pope Emeritus’ personal secretary says Benedict has suffered a painful skin disease one would “not wish on my worst enemy” but it was never life-threatening. By Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, August 11, 2020 A skin disease that has been afflicting Pope Emeritus Benedict... read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI traveling during his last trip to Germany on June 21, 2020.