pope
Photo gallery: Rome prepares for a papal conclave
By Sally Morrow — March 12, 2013
The conclave to elect a new pope began on Tuesday (March 12) and Catholics gathered for Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Religion News Service photos by Andrea Sabbadini Click any image below to view photo slideshow.
ANALYSIS: The ‘tough guy’ option: Picking a pope to serve as sheriff
By David Gibson — March 11, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) One reason why conservatives are seeking a hard-liner pope is that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger turned out to be more of a papal pussycat as Pope Benedict XVI than the watchdog of orthodoxy that he had been for decades under John Paul II.
Sistine Chapel plays a key role in electing a new pope
By Alessandro Speciale — March 11, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The tradition of voting for the new pontiff in the Sistine Chapel dates back to the Renaissance, but the location of the voting didn't become a fixed feature of the conclaves until the 19th century -- and only with John Paul II's rules did the Sistine Chapel become the official theater of papal elections.
Inside the Vatican: A Photo Gallery
By Sally Morrow — March 10, 2013
During the days before a new pope is announced, journalists gather and the Catholic community prepares inside the Vatican.
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: New Archbishop of Canterbury on New Pope
By Sally Morrow — March 7, 2013
The 77-million-member Anglican Communion is getting a new leader. Later this month, Justin Welby will take his seat as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, spiritual leader to Anglicans and Episcopalians around the world. Kim Lawton was in the UK this week and spoke with Welby about this important moment in these two Christian traditions. Video […]
Picking the pope: Holy Spirit or ‘groupthink’?
By David Gibson — March 7, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) While the Holy Spirit may be getting more efficient in producing shorter papal conclaves, behavioral scientists say a more pronounced “bandwagon effect” is now as powerful as any electioneering did before.
Cardinals move to plug leaks ahead of papal conclave
By David Gibson — March 6, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has pulled the plug on daily briefings from American cardinals, fueled by growing resentment among Italian cardinals and others that the process to elect the next pope was starting to look like an American-style political campaign.
Wagering on a new pope? You bet!
By Natalie DiBlasio — March 1, 2013
(RNS) Betting on the new pope takes off internationally, including "Sweet Sistine" brackets.
What Pope Benedict XVI shares with his notorious namesake
By Daniel Burke — February 26, 2013
(RNS) The last Pope Benedict to resign, Benedict IX, was an infamous rake who sold the papacy. But like his 21st-century namesake, Benedict IX forces Catholics to mind the gap between the mortal man and the sacred papal office.
Video: RNS Editor-in-Chief Kevin Eckstrom talks to CTV News
By Sally Morrow — February 26, 2013
Video courtesy CTV News – Click the photograph or link below to watch video. Click the link below to view video. http://bit.ly/ZxEAZH
Pope allows cardinals to move up start of papal election
By Alessandro Speciale — February 25, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With three days left before his resignation on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday (Feb. 25) allowed cardinals to move up the start of the conclave that will elect his successor.
Video: Religion & Ethics Newsweekly – Pope’s resignation
By Sally Morrow — February 20, 2013
As the news of Benedict’s impending departure took hold, people inside–and outside–of the church began offering assessments of his legacy. Video courtesy Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Watch Pope’s Resignation on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.
Who runs the Vatican after the pope steps down?
By Alessandro Speciale — February 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) As of 8 p.m. Thursday, the Vatican will go into "sede vacante'' mode -- a Latin expression that means that the seat of St. Peter is vacant. Here's what will happen and who rules the church during the "interregnum" between two popes.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Why the next pope should come from the Global South
By Wesley Granberg-Michaelson — February 18, 2013
(RNS) A non-European pope, drawn from the Global South that's shaping the future face of the church, would be a prophetic spiritual gift to the whole Christian community, and beyond.
Video: Global Journalist – What the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI means for the Catholic Church
By Sally Morrow — February 18, 2013
Video courtesy Global Journalist
