Pope Benedict XVI

New Vatican document combines modern transparency with eternal teaching

By Thomas Reese — April 9, 2024

(RNS) — Pope Francis summons all people to defend human dignity in every moment of human existence.

Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI’s aide

By Nicole Winfield — April 3, 2024

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis's frail health has raised questions about how much longer he will remain pope, whether he might follow in Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign.

Unexpected defeat of referendums shows growing power of Ireland’s traditional Catholics

By Daniel O'Connor — March 13, 2024

DUBLIN (RNS) — At a Mass said in Latin on Sunday (March 10), Ireland’s traditional Catholics declared political victory, days after a pair of referendums aimed at secularizing the Irish Constitution were unexpectedly and resoundingly defeated.

Conservative cardinals have five questions or ‘dubia.’ I have six.

By Thomas Reese — October 10, 2023

(RNS) — Traditionalists don't like Pope Francis because he is the first truly post-Counter-Reformation pope, with perhaps the exception of John XXIII.

Pope Francis has appointed 21 new cardinals – an expert on medieval Christianity explains what it means for the future of the Catholic Church

By Joanne M. Pierce — October 2, 2023

(The Conversation) — The College of Cardinals is an important part of the church’s governance structure. Its members elect the next pope and help develop future policies for the church.

At the Catholic Church’s worldwide synod, the deacons are missing

By Phyllis Zagano — July 21, 2023

(RNS) — Many if not most Catholics think women deacons are called for.

Cross bequeathed by Pope Benedict XVI is stolen from church in his home region in Germany

By Associated Press — June 20, 2023

BERLIN (AP) — “For the Catholic church, the value of the religious object is not quantifiable,” the police statement said.

Pope Benedict ‘closed’ Limbo and no one complained

By Thomas Reese — April 11, 2023

(RNS) — The church can never admit that something it was teaching or doing for centuries was dumb.

The legacy of a decade of Pope Francis

By Thomas Reese — March 6, 2023

(RNS) — Francis has opened windows that are difficult to close.

Pope accuses critics of exploiting Pope Benedict XVI’s death

By Nicole Winfield — February 6, 2023

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis accused some of his critics Sunday of taking advantage of retired Pope Benedict XVI’s death.

What to expect at the funeral Mass for Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI

By Claire Giangravé — January 4, 2023

(RNS) — Benedict XVI’s funeral Mass will be a first even in the centuries-old history of the Catholic Church.

What Pope Benedict got wrong about Islam

By Mark Silk — December 31, 2022

(RNS) — Not understanding Islamic theology was only part of it.

Benedict’s resignation sparked calls for retirement protocol

By Nicole Winfield — December 31, 2022

VATICAN CITY (AP) — For a church that prides itself on unity and believes in the singular primacy of the pope, any confusion over who’s really in charge is not a small thing.

Pope Benedict XVI, elected a philosopher king, was at heart a German professor

By Thomas Reese — December 31, 2022

(RNS) — In 2005, the cardinals thought they were electing the smartest man in the room. They should instead have sought the man who would listen to all the other smart people in the church.

My encounters with Joseph Ratzinger — and Pope Benedict XVI