Vatican News
Cardinals begin pre-conclave meetings
The cardinals of the Catholic Church gathered for their first general meeting this morning to take an oath of secrecy,... Read more
Old establishment cardinals hope for quick conclave
While the cardinals created by Benedict XVI arrive in Rome and get acquainted with the pre-conclave operations, cardinals from the... Read more
Cardinal says selecting new Pope is 'a great responsibility'
Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan of Mexico, who participated in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI, stressed the great responsibility... Read more
Benedict XVI's first night as Pope emeritus
Benedict XVI ate dinner, watched the news with Archbishop Georg Gänswein and slept soundly during his first night as a... Read more
Papal apartments, basilica sealed for sede vacante
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sealed off the papal apartments, marking the beginning of the sede vacante, the period when there is... Read more
Cardinals set date for meetings about next Pope
On the first day that the Church is without a Pope, Cardinal Angelo Sodano announced that the first general congregation... Read more
Beauty in liturgy the 'great legacy' of Benedict XVI
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be remembered in Church history for his work to recover the beauty of traditional liturgy,... Read more
Swiss Guards seal gates, leave service of Pope Emeritus
With the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday evening, the Swiss Guards have left their posts and sealed the... Read more
Pope's last words: Thank you for your friendship and love
After the 15-minute helicopter trip to Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI offered a word of thanks to the thousands of... Read more
Pope leaves Vatican for Castel Gandolfo
Pope Benedict XVI has left the Vatican by helicopter and will soon arrive in the town of Castel Gandolfo where... Read more
Church bells ring out as Pope travels to Castel Gandolfo
On Thursday, Feb. 28, church bells in Rome and Albano rang out during the helicopter flight that took Pope Benedict... Read more
Benedict XVI pledges respect, obedience to future Pope
Pope Benedict XVI surprised the cardinals and organizers of a Feb. 28 farewell ceremony by saying the future Pope is... Read more
Vatican Post Office issues stamp for Pope's resignation
The Vatican’s post office is issuing a special cancelation stamp to mark the end of Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy. Read more
Cardinals bid Pope farewell with hearts full of thanks
Echoing the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, Cardinal Angelo Sodano told Pope Benedict that the cardinals’ hearts “burned when... Read more
Cardinal Wuerl describes spiritual experience of conclave
A conclave is similar to going on a rigorous spiritual retreat that is pervaded by silence, according to Cardinal Donald... Read more
Cardinal says next Pope likely to be young
A cardinal from Chile who will be participating in the general meetings leading up to the conclave said that the... Read more
Pope's final audience was bittersweet for cardinals
The cardinals and bishops who attended Pope Benedict XVI’s last big public appearance made sure to show him their love... Read more
Pope confident God will guide Church in days ahead
Pope Benedict XVI told the 150,000 people who came to his final general audience that he is filled with trust... Read more
Benedict's faith encyclical could appear in different form
Pope Benedict XVI's anticipated encyclical on faith will not be released before his resignation but it may appear in another... Read more
Vatileaks not at center of Pope's decision, priest states
An Irish theologian who is familiar with the life and thought of Pope Benedict XVI says his decision to resign... Read more
