Pope Benedict XVI
Retired Pope Benedict accused of anti-Semitism after article on Christians and Jews
By Tom Heneghan — August 3, 2018
PARIS (RNS) Both Jewish and Catholic leaders say that the retired pontiff’s essay on Jewish-Catholic relations in the current issue of Communio suggests he harbors anti-Semitic views.
Francis cardinals make up almost half of electors of next pope
By Thomas Reese — May 22, 2018
(RNS) — Pope Francis continues to remake the College of Cardinals so that almost half of the men who will choose his successor have been chosen by him.
A new type of Catholic emerges: the conservative dissenter
By Christopher Lamb — April 19, 2018
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — And Francis agrees with his critics who say that a pope can be wrong.
Vatican bows to pressure, releases retired pope’s letter
By Nicole Winfield — March 18, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The 'Lettergate' scandal has embarrassed the Vatican's communications operations and fueled the growing chasm between supporters of Francis' pastoral-focused papacy and conservatives who long for the doctrine-minded tenure of Benedict.
Vatican doctors photo of Benedict’s praise for Francis
By Nicole Winfield — March 15, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The letter was cited by Monsignor Dario Vigano, chief of communications, to rebut critics of Francis who question his theological and philosophical heft and say he represents a rupture from Benedict's doctrine-minded papacy.
Vatican denies report Benedict XVI has neurological disease
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 15, 2018
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican is denying a German tabloid report that suggested Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI is suffering from a neurological disease.
Pope Benedict 5 years on: weaker, but ‘on a pilgrimage home’
By Associated Press — February 7, 2018
(AP) — “I can only say that in the slow decline of my physical strength, internally I am on a pilgrimage home," Retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote.
Conservative Catholic dissidents attack Popes Francis and Benedict
By Thomas Reese — January 3, 2018
Conservative Catholic dissidents, who have been attacking Francis, showed their true colors recently by attacking Benedict for his subversive writings and modernist tendencies.
Papal loyalists become dissidents
By Thomas Reese — November 8, 2017
(RNS) — What is remarkable about the critics of Pope Francis is that during the papacies of John Paul and Benedict, they harshly criticized as dissidents and heretics anyone who questioned papal teaching. It is clear that their loyalty was not to the successor of Peter but to their own theological opinions.
‘Amoris Laetitia’ revisited
By Thomas Reese — October 10, 2017
(RNS) — The document encouraged the church to meet people where they are and then accompany them on their journey toward God. But who is going to do this accompanying?
More Catholic than the pope
By Thomas Reese — October 3, 2017
(RNS) Pope Francis is not afraid of open discussion in the church. Well, he got it.
The most prolific author in history has died
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 10, 2016
Jacob Neusner has died. He revolutionized American Jewish studies.
Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism
By Rosie Scammell — July 31, 2015
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (RNS) The silence that hangs over Castel Gandolfo is, according to the locals, principally the result of Pope Francis’ absence.
Milwaukee museum to display portrait of Pope Benedict made of condoms
By Reuters — June 30, 2015
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) The Milwaukee Art Museum says it hopes a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI made of condoms will ignite a conversation about the AIDS epidemic in Africa and the role art plays in public discussions.
Chicago Cardinal Francis George dies at 78, an icon of a conservatism suddenly out of favor
By David Gibson — April 17, 2015
(RNS) Chicago's Cardinal Francis George thrived under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Under the more progressive Francis, though, "I don’t yet really have an understanding of ‘What are we doing here?’ ”
