Institutions
Pope Benedict XVI leaves office, promises ‘obedience’ to successor
By Alessandro Speciale — February 28, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The papacy of Benedict XVI came to a quiet end at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 28), making him the first pope in 600 years to voluntarily leave office.
Dwindling Catholic schools see future in Latino students
By Aaron Schrank — February 28, 2013
LOS ANGELES (RNS) As the country’s fastest-growing population, Latinos now make up nearly 40 percent of all U.S. Catholics, but represent less than 14 percent of students at Catholic schools. Catholic leaders now tout Latino outreach as one answer to the schools’ problems.
A new pope, a new name: Here’s some popular picks to choose from
By Caleb K. Bell — February 28, 2013
One of the first acts of the new pope will be to chose a new name. Here's a list of the most popular (and most unique) papal names to help him get started.
How to Pray: Presence in the Heart
By Omid Safi — February 28, 2013
We have to be taught how to pray: "There is no prayer without the presence of the heart."
Pope Benedict pledges obedience to his successor
By Alessandro Speciale — February 28, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI promised “unconditional” obedience to his successor during a farewell meeting with cardinals on Thursday.
ANALYSIS: Vatican intrigue is age-old part of papal politics
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — February 27, 2013
(RNS) The Vatican appears rocked by scandal and resignations just as church leaders must gear up to replace frail Pope Benedict XVI. But Vatican experts say papal transitions always generate intrigue.
READ: Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s final blessing
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 27, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI addressed an estimated 150,000 people on Wednesday in St. Peter's Square for his final general audience as pope. Here's his remarks in English.
Pope Benedict defends choice to resign in last public address
By Alessandro Speciale — February 27, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his final public address, Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday forcefully defended his decision to resign from the papacy while trying to reassure Catholics still reeling from the shock of his unprecedented move.
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.
Benedict will be ‘Pope Emeritus’ after resignation
By Alessandro Speciale — February 26, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “Pope Emeritus” after his retirement on Thursday, and will continue to wear the traditional white papal vestments.
COMMENTARY: Sorry to burst your bubble
By Tom Ehrich — February 26, 2013
(RNS) The bubble I see bursting is establishment Christianity in America. It is bursting ever-so-slowly, even as millions of people still find life, meaning, safety and structure inside their bubbles. But one failing congregation at a time, the surface of shimmering shape is being breached.
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
Video from The Telegraph: Catholicism’s critics will ‘rejoice at Cardinal O’Brien’s resignation
By Sally Morrow — February 25, 2013
Video courtesy The Telegraph
Venting and vetting: The brutal side of papal politics
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
(RNS) If far less expensive and not quite as mind-numbing as a U.S. presidential campaign, the condensed version of papal campaign politics is not much gentler, or necessarily more effective. Instead it can be nasty, brutish and short.
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.
