Pope Benedict XVI
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.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Benedict XVI, the caretaker pope
By David Steinmetz — February 20, 2013
(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI was first, last, and always a teacher. But he was always, alas, a weak manager of personnel. In the end Benedict XVI was the ``caretaker pope'' that many didn't expect him to be.
Controversy over Cardinal Mahony’s conclave vote reaches Vatican
By Alessandro Speciale — February 19, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The controversy over Cardinal Roger Mahony's vote in the conclave that will elect a new pope has now reached the Vatican, with at least one cardinal musing aloud that the former archbishop of Los Angeles should consider staying home.
Analysis: Conservatives vent disappointment over Benedict’s papacy
By David Gibson — February 18, 2013
(RNS) When Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, the surprising choice left conservative Catholics almost giddy with the prospect of total victory. Now with Benedict set to resign, the Catholic right is counting up the ways that Benedict failed them.
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
Pope appoints new director of scandal-scarred Vatican Bank
By Alessandro Speciale — February 15, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Less than two weeks before he retires, Pope Benedict XVI on Friday (Feb. 15) approved the appointment of a German lawyer and financier as the new head of the scandal-plagued Vatican Bank.
COMMENTARY: Joseph Ratzinger, the last of the traditional popes
By A. James Rudin — February 14, 2013
(RNS) Joseph Ratzinger perhaps will be best remembered as a quiet theologian and intellectual. But he was not, as some critics charge, a ``transitional'' pope.
Catholic migration, and why the next pope should be Brazilian
By Daniel Burke — February 14, 2013
A new analysis of Catholic population shifts raises questions about the upcoming papal election.
Benedict intends to live ‘hidden from the world’
By Alessandro Speciale — February 14, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday that he intends to live "hidden from the world'' in retirement even as his closest aide will assist his successor.
Meet the US cardinals who will vote for the next pope
By Sally Morrow — February 13, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI seeks prayers in wake of resignation
By Alessandro Speciale — February 13, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his first public comments since his surprise retirement announcement, Pope Benedict XVI asked Catholics for support and prayers to support him “in these days which are not easy for me.”
Pope’s resignation lands Vatican in uncharted territory
By Alessandro Speciale — February 12, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Still reeling from Monday's announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will become the first pope in 600 years to resign, the Vatican is attempting to return to normal, with many questions about the future but few answers.
Pope Benedict’s American fan club full of evangelicals
By Daniel Burke — February 12, 2013
(RNS) Not all Catholics appreciated Pope Benedict XVI's staunch defense of Christian orthodoxy, traditional marriage and life from conception to natural death. But American evangelicals sure did.
