Pope Benedict XVI
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.
For aging religious leaders, is it still ’till death us do part’?
By Adelle M. Banks — February 25, 2013
(RNS) When aging religious leaders reach the top echelons of temporal and spiritual power, their followers have a certain expectation: Till death us do part. But Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation has shifted that calculus, prompting introspection about when, if and how to let go of religion's senior management.
Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigns after sex accusations
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
(RNS) Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland resigned on Monday in the wake of explosive charges that he had made "inappropriate" sexual advances to three priests and a former seminarian, and said he would skip next month's conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
A cultural omnivore, and maybe the next pope
By Alessandro Speciale — February 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi is known for his wide interests, and seemingly Internet-like omniscience. And some Catholics say he could just be the next pope.
ANALYSIS: White smoke, black pope? The odds against an ‘Obama moment’
By David Gibson — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Will the conclave electing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI next month have an "Obama moment'' and pick a pope from outside Europe for the first time in modern history? Several factors are working against it.
Benedict XVI’s poll numbers can’t match John Paul II’s
By Lauren Markoe — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI never inspired the deep admiration enjoyed by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, but Americans – and Catholic Americans even more so – still look favorably upon the soon-to-be-former head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Eccentric Russian artist finds a career as papal portraitist
By Alessandro Speciale — February 21, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Natalia Tsarkova originally intended to stay in Rome for a few months when she arrived in 1994, but has managed to forge a career as the Vatican's official papal portraitist.
Vatican mulling changes to election of new pope
By Alessandro Speciale — February 20, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI is considering changing church law regulating the election of a new pope, but stopped short of saying whether he would authorize an earlier start to the conclave.
