Archive for January 2, 2023

Pope Benedict XVI announced his intention to resign the papacy during a meeting of cardinals Feb. 11, 2013. The surprise announcement, which he made in Latin, took place in the Hall of the Consistory in the Vatican's apostolic palace.?w=200&h=150

By Zelda Caldwell

In stepping down, Benedict XVI carved out new role as ‘contemplative’ pope

On Feb. 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI dropped a bombshell. Read more

Stock photo via Shutterstock?w=200&h=150

By Jonah McKeown

Where Catholics live in the United States, explained in four charts

Catholicism is the largest religious body in 36 U.S. states, and the data show that Catholicism is growing fastest in... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI sees the Statue of Liberty from the air during his only visit to the United States April 15–20, 2008.?w=200&h=150

By Jonah McKeown

Remembering Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States

Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31, visited the United States only once, but he left a lasting impression. Read more

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict embrace each other at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, June 30, 2015.?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

The relationship between Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis

Pope Francis visited Benedict frequently, including a final time three days before the pope emeritus' death. Read more

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over a brief ritual upon the arrival of Benedict XVI’s body in St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 2, 2023, sprinkling the body with holy water and offering prayers for the repose of his soul.?w=200&h=150

By Courtney Mares,Hannah Brockhaus

VIDEO AND PHOTOS: Thousands gather to pay final respects to body of Benedict XVI

The mortal remains of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica through Jan. 4. Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the longtime personal secretary of Benedict XVI, greets Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, on Jan. 2, 2023, at St. Peter's Basilica, where Benedict is lying in state.?w=200&h=150

By Kelsey Wicks

Benedict XVI’s funeral: Only 2 countries will send official delegations

The Holy See’s announcement that delegations from Italy and Germany will attend the funeral answers one of the questions surrounding... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI visits the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II in the grotto beneath St. Peter's Basilica after a meeting with young Catholics, in preparation of the XXI World Youth Day at the Vatican April 6, 2006.?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

Benedict XVI to be buried in first tomb of Pope John Paul II

Benedict XVI’s coffin will be carried to the crypt under the central part of St. Peter’s Basilica for interment after... Read more

Credit: © L’Osservatore Romano?w=200&h=150

By Joe Bukuras

Five quotes from Pope Benedict XVI on faith

Pope Benedict XVI’s death marks the end of an era in which the prolific writer and speaker conveyed his reflections... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican for the Oct. 21, 2012, canonization ceremony for Jacques Berthieu, Pedro Calungsod, Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Maria Carmen Salles y Barangueras, Marianne Cope, Caterina (Kateri) Tekakwitha, and Anna Schaffer.?w=200&h=150

By Maisy Sullivan

Meet 7 of the best-known saints canonized by Pope Benedict XVI

During his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI beatified 870 people and canonized a total of 45 saints. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI, May 11, 2010?w=200&h=150

By Zelda Caldwell

Catholic converts: ‘Benedict XVI led me into the Catholic Church’

In the days after news spread that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was nearing the end of his life, a number... Read more

Juan Luis Tron (second from left) and Maria Magdalene Baca (second from right) together with other young people from the Regnum Christi movement wait outside St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 2, 2023, to pay their respects to the late Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31, 2022.?w=200&h=150

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘We love Benedict’: Catholics flock to the Vatican to say goodbye to Benedict XVI

Approximately 40,000 people visited Benedict XVI in the first five hours he was lying in state on Monday, according to... Read more

The mortal remains of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI were moved early in the morning on Jan. 2, 2023, from his former residence in the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to St. Peter's Basilica, where the late pope is lying in state through Jan. 4. Thousands waited in line to pay their respects.?w=200&h=150

By Shannon Mullen

Scenes from a day of grief and gratitude: 65,000 pay their respects to Benedict XVI

The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was laid in state for the first time Monday, drawing a massive crowd... Read more