Pope Benedict XVI has formally approved a miracle attributed to his late predecessor, paving the way to John Paul II’s beatification on 1 May. The process of beatification, or declaring the late pontiff to be “blessed”, is a crucial step towards making him a saint.
Posts Tagged ‘Pope Benedict XVI’
“Pope visit of great importance for Serbia”
December 23rd, 2010 |
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The Roman Catholic archbishop of Belgrade said the possible visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Serbia would be very significant. Stanislav HoÄevar was quoted as saying that Serbia would “thus present itself as a state that is aware of its historic role and would become the driving force of dialogue in the region”.
Catholics and condoms: No kidding
November 25th, 2010 |
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A slight shift in position on condoms
FROM the headlines, it sounded like a sensational climbdown: Pope Benedict XVI had said the use of condoms in some circumstances was permissible. In fact, the pontiff had not announced a U-turn, but shifted a nuance. In an interview with a German journalist, Peter Seewald, for a book published by the Vatican (and checked before publication), he gave an example of a situation in which condom use might be acceptable. If a male prostitute was trying, responsibly, to do his bit to halt the spread of AIDS, that would be “a first step towards moralisation”.
That is a long way from a full embrace of modern contraceptive technology (and secular thinking about sexuality). The pope used a case in which a condom could have no contraceptive role. His careful scholarly words also reiterated the Church’s teaching that condoms trivialise sex, reducing it to a “self-administered drug”, stoking promiscuity, and thus AIDS. …
New Roman Catholic cardinals: Unbendable
October 21st, 2010 |
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Italian prelates return in force
WHEN John Paul II, the first non-Italian pontiff since 1523, was elected in 1978 it was seen as a sign that the church was belatedly making good its claim to be catholic, or universal. Italians were unconvinced; some called the reign of the former Karol Wojtyla the “Polish exception”. But when a German was named to succeed him, it seemed even to many Italians that their grip on the papacy had been broken.
On October 20th Pope Benedict XVI seemed to assuage Italian gloom. He announced the names of 24 new cardinals, including 20 below the age of 80 who will thus get the right to vote in a papal election. Eight of the cardinal-electors are from Italy. Once they receive their red hats on November 20th, some 25 of the 120 voting cardinals will be Italians; it looks highly possible that one of them will be chosen to succeed the 83-year-old Benedict. …
Susan Boyle To Sing For Pope
August 25th, 2010 |
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Talent show sensation Susan Boyle is set to fulfill her biggest dream yet –- she’ll be singing for the pope. The Scottish spinister-turned-international singing star is also a Catholic and will perform “I Dreamed A Dream,” the Les Miserables hit that made her a YouTube star around the globe last year. Susan will also sing the [...]
Mel Gibson’s father calls Pope Benedict XVI homosexual
August 10th, 2010 |
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Mel Gibson’s father, Hutton Gibson, has called Pope Benedict XVI a homosexual. Hutton, 91, called Pope Benedict XVI a homosexual during a radio interview, according to TMZ. In the interview, the host asked Gibson if the Catholic Church has become “politicised†to the point that it cannot address issues like homosexuality. Gibson responded that the [...]
Susan Boyle expected to perform for Pope during his visit to Britain
June 11th, 2010 |
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Scottish singer Susan Boyle is expected to perform for the Pope during his visit to Britain.
Boyle, 49, had gained global fame after she appeared on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent contest on ITV1, and now church leaders want her to perform in Glasgow at events planned for the Pontiff’s visit in September.
“Negotiations are still under [...]
Susan Boyle To Sing For The Pope?
April 26th, 2010 |
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The Roman Catholic Church wants Scottish spinster-turned-singing sensation Susan Boyle to perform for Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Britain later this year, a spokesman for the church told The Herald Sun on Sunday.A spokesperson for the church’s Scottish diocese said that a meeting is likely to be held to discuss a performance by [...]
No decision yet on inviting Pope to visit Serbia
April 17th, 2010 |
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Patriarch Irinej said that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) has yet to decide on whether it would invite Pope Benedict XVI to visit Serbia in 2013. Regarding the celebration of 1,700 years since the Edict of Milan in Niš, Irinej said that he expect leaders of all Christian churches to attend, since it is one of the most important dates of the religion.
Papal vulnerability
March 29th, 2010 |
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Pope Benedict XVI is losing popularity
THE pope addressed tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday (March 28th) at the start of Holy Week in the Catholic Church. Despite the crowds, Pope Benedict XVI’s popularity may be waning as a result of his handling of recent child-abuse scandals across Europe and America. Some even want him to resign for his part, before becoming pope in 2005, in a decision merely to send for therapy an alleged paedophile priest, who later returned to pastoral work. The church has said that Cardinal Ratzinger (as he then was) did not know that the priest returned to work. The pope is also accused of ignoring pleas for the removal of an American priest, who allegedly molested 200 deaf boys. Yet the pope’s supporters point to his earlier efforts, reportedly ignored by his predecessor John Paul II, to launch a full inquiry into the behaviour of a cardinal in Vienna who was removed from office in 1995 after accusations of sex abuse.
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Pope apologizes for Irish priests’ sex abuse
March 20th, 2010 |
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Pope Benedict XVI has apologized to victims of child sex abuse by Catholic priests in Ireland.
In a pastoral letter to Irish Catholics, he acknowledged the sense of betrayal in the Church felt by victims and their families.
Pope Benedict XVI congratulates new patriarch
January 23rd, 2010 |
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Roman Catholic Church leader Pope Benedict XVI congratulated the new Serbian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Irinej on his election. The Pope said that he hopes that the two churches will be able to increase cooperation.
“Church would welcome Pope visitâ€
January 22nd, 2010 |
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SPC Bishop Irinej believes that Pope Benedict XVI could visit Serbia in 2013, on the anniversary of the Edict of Milan. “For now, this is only an assumption and the Pope’s wish to visit Serbia on the occasion of marking the anniversary of the Edict of Milan,†Irinej told Tanjug and added that he believes that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) would welcome the visit of the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Knocked Down [VIDEO] — Pope Benedict Falls During Christmas Eve Ambush
December 25th, 2009 |
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Pope Benedict XVI is recovering from pre-Mass pandemonium this evening after a mentally-disturbed Roman woman jumped a barrier and toppled The Pontiff as he walked down the main aisle during Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday.
The 82-year-old pope was helped to his feet by aides and is unhurt, said Vatican spokesman The [...]
Russia, Vatican establish diplomatic ties
December 4th, 2009 |
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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday signed a decree to establish diplomatic relations with Vatican City, and met with Pope Benedict XVI. Under the decree, Russia’s mission in the Vatican will be transformed into an embassy, the Kremlin said in a statement.
Vatican shows support for Serbian EU integration
November 14th, 2009 |
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President Boris Tadić and Pope Benedict XVI met in the Vatican to discuss Serbia’s European integration and issues related to Kosovo. Tadić also met with the Vatican secretary of state and foreign minister before meeting with the pope.
“Tadić should invite pope to Serbia”
November 12th, 2009 |
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A religion analyst says that when it comes to the Vatican, “the important issues for Serbia are European integrations”. Živica Tucić spoke for B92 as President Boris Tadić is in Rome, where he will, among others, meet with the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI.
Catholic bank owned pill shares
August 3rd, 2009 |
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A Roman Catholic bank in Germany has apologised after admitting it bought stocks in defence, tobacco and birth control companies.
Der Spiegel newspaper discovered the bank had invested 580,000 euros (£495,310, $826,674) in British arms company BAE Systems.
It also invested 160,000 euros in American birth control pill maker Wyeth and 870,000 euros in tobacco companies.
The bank apologised for behaviour "not in keeping with ethical standards".
Pax Bank has previously advertised ethical investment funds, specifically claiming to avoid arms and tobacco companies along with organisations that do not adhere to Catholic beliefs.
Since 1968 the Catholic church has condemned contraception – a view emphatically upheld by current Pope Benedict XVI.
In the past he has called birth control a "grave sin".
A spokesman for Pax Bank said: "We will rectify the mistakes immediately without negative consequences for our clients.
"Unfortunately in a few internal reviews, the critical investments in question were overlooked – we deeply regret this."
The spokesman thanked journalists for bringing the controversial investments to its attention. </p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Pope leaves hospital after wrist surgery
July 17th, 2009 |
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Pope discharged after successful surgery on wrist broken during fall at his holiday chalet in the Italian Alps
The pope has left hospital after surgery on a wrist broken during a fall at his holiday chalet in the Italian Alps.
Pope Benedict, 82, smiled broadly and waved to the crowd with his left hand as he climbed into his car outside the hospital in the north-western Italian town of Aosta. His right arm hung by his side, the cast hidden by his white vestments.
Surgeons performed a 20-minute operation to reduce the fracture, a procedure to realign the broken bone fragments. The surgery was performed under local anaesthetic.
A Vatican statement said the pope fell in his room in a nearby chalet overnight. Despite the accident, he celebrated mass and had breakfast before going to hospital.
The Ansa news agency reported that he had arrived at the hospital by car and walked into the first-aid ward accompanied by an aide.
Benedict XVI has been healthy during his five-year pontificate. The pontiff has been staying at a chalet in the village of Les Combes, in the Valle d’Aosta region near the French border, since Monday.
His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, also spent several summers at Les Combes. While John Paul liked to hike, Benedict spends most of his time inside the chalet, which looks out on Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.
Pope Benedict has spent two summers at Les Combes in recent years, and said upon arrival that he expected to rest and work during his vacation.
The pope is due to be away until 29 July, making at least two public appearances in the Valle d’Aosta area, including the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday. He is expected to stick to his schedule despite the accident.
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