Pope Benedict XVI

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Pope Benedict 'Murder Plot' Shakes Italy

Vatican dismisses assassination outlined in letter

(Newser) - A bizarre plot to assassinate the Pope made headlines in Italy yesterday and may signal a new turn in a Vatican power struggle , the Guardian reports. A cardinal from Colombia notified Pope Benedict XVI's inner circle about the plan by delivering a letter from Cardinal Paolo Romeo, the archbishop...

Brits Issue &#39;Catholic Cards&#39;
 Brits Issue 'Catholic Cards' 

Brits Issue 'Catholic Cards'

British church issues 'faith cards' to 1M

(Newser) - One million people are about to become card-carrying Catholics, thanks to the Vatican. Inspired by Pope Benedict, the British church hierarchy is issuing cards to Catholics at Sunday Mass. Holders sign their name declaring themselves as Catholics, and a message requests that a priest be called for the holder in...

Christians Usher in Christmas
 Christians Usher in Christmas 

Christians Usher in Christmas

Pope calls for peace in Syria, pilgrims gather in Bethlehem, and NORAD's phone rings off the hook

(Newser) - Pope Benedict called for an end to the violence in Syria and urged Christians to "see through the superficial glitter" as he led the celebration of Christmas in his annual Urbi et Orbi address. "May the Lord bring an end to the violence in Syria, where much blood...

Vatican Will Canonize First Native American Saint

It credits boy's recovery to miracle by Kateri Tekakwitha

(Newser) - A young boy's recovery from flesh-eating bacteria will help a 17th-century woman become the first Native American saint in the Catholic Church, reports USA Today . The Vatican has called the recovery of Washington state's Jake Finkbonner from near death in 2006 a miracle that can be credited to...

Benetton Yanks Pope-Imam Kiss Ad

...within an hour of Vatican complaint

(Newser) - Well, so much for that: Just hours after its debut, an ad featuring a PhotoShopped pope kissing a top Egyptian imam was yanked. The controversial ad, part of clothing company Benetton’s latest head-turning campaign , was released yesterday and quickly pounced on by the Vatican. "It shows a serious...

Pope Losing Ability to Walk
 Pope Losing Ability to Walk  

Pope Losing Ability to Walk

Vatican insiders say pontiff has degenerative joint disease

(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI is suffering from a degenerative joint disease that is making it more and more painful for him to walk, Vatican insiders say. The 84-year-old is believed to have arthrosis, and a source says it is afflicting his knees, hips, and ankles, making it impossible for him to...

Vatican Calls for Global Market Watchdog

Markets not working for common good, Vatican report states

(Newser) - Occupy Wall Street protesters may be a little surprised to learn that the Vatican supports some of their goals. A document released by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace calls for the creation of a world body to police financial markets in order to to crack down...

Susan Sarandon Calls Pope a Nazi

Catholic League boss calls quip 'unparalleled' ignorance

(Newser) - Actress Susan Sarandon is not a huge fan of the pope. In fact, she called Benedict XVI a Nazi—twice—at a British film festival. She mentioned that she sent the pope a copy of the book Dead Man Walking, then clarified that she sent it to the last pope,...

Pope Greeted by Protesters Upon Arrival in Germany

Four-day visit is first state visit to his homeland

(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI is back home for his first state visit to Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Christian Wulff, and Cabinet members met the pontiff upon his arrival at a Berlin airport today, the first of his four-day visit, as howitzers fired and fighter jets flew overhead. He is also...

Activists: Vatican Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity
Activists: Vatican Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity
FOR SEX ABUSE SCANDAL

Activists: Vatican Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity

Pope, 3 officials named as responsible for rampant sex abuse

(Newser) - In the most substantial effort yet to hold the Vatican's feet to the fire for clergy sexual abuse, human rights lawyers will file a complaint today asking the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute Pope Benedict XVI and three top Vatican officials for crimes against humanity. According to...

Vatican Offers Pilgrims Abortion Forgiveness for 6 Days

Excommunications to be lifted at Madrid's World Youth Day

(Newser) - The Vatican is marking World Youth Day celebrations in Madrid by offering women who have had abortions an easy way to become Catholics again, reports the Guardian . Abortion is punishable by instant excommunication and "normally, only certain priests have the power to lift such an excommunication, but the local...

Philadelphia Archbishop Retires Amid Scandal

Pope accepts Cardinal Justin Rigali's resignation

(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Philadelphia archbishop Cardinal Justin Rigali today, sending him into retirement as the archdiocese faces accusations that it covered up a long-running priest sex abuse scandal. The pope named conservative Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput to succeed him. The brief Vatican announcement said the resignation...

Angry Vatican Excommunicates Chinese Bishop

Says Benedict alone has right to appoint bishops

(Newser) - The Vatican has excommunicated a newly ordained bishop in China's Catholic Church, reports Reuters, peeved that the Beijing church went ahead and ordained the Rev. Joseph Huang Bingzhang without papal approval. The Vatican maintains that Pope Benedict alone has the right to name bishops; Beijing sees that as foreign...

Vatican Back in the Black
 Vatican Back in the Black 

Vatican Back in the Black

Church pulls in $14.3M, makes profit for first time in three years

(Newser) - Good news: The Vatican returned to the black last year, after three straight years in the red. The Catholic Church pulled in $14.3 million, it said in its annual financial report today, while the Vatican city state made $30.6 million, fueled largely by ticket sales at the Vatican...

Pope Chides Greedy Speculators on Food Prices

Profit-hungry markets have ignored human rights, he says

(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI denounced speculation in commodities markets today and demanded a global response to high food prices based on solidarity, not profit. Benedict told delegates of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization that access to food is a basic human right that must be guaranteed. He said it's...

Pope on Twitter: Benedict XVI Sends First Tweet, Using iPad
 Pope Sends  
 His First Tweet 

Pope Sends His First Tweet

Using an iPad, no less!

(Newser) - Catholicism has come into the 21st century: Pope Benedict tweeted for the first time today. "Dear Friends, I just launched News.va Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI," he posted, referring to a new Vatican news portal. Even more impressive, the...

Benedict May Get Hybrid Popemobile
Benedict May Get
Hybrid Popemobile

Benedict May Get Hybrid Popemobile

Mercedes working on turning his ride green

(Newser) - The next popemobile could be green. Mercedes-Benz is studying a hybrid that would replace the current Mercedes used when the pope travels abroad, says the Vatican. However, Pope Benedict's new ride won't be ready until next year at the earliest, not in time for his upcoming trip to...

Pope Talks About Life Under Nazis

Benedict XVI calls it a 'dark time'

(Newser) - German-born Pope Benedict XVI rarely talks about when he was conscripted into the Hitler Youth as a teen. But yesterday, in an audience with a German Catholic group, Benedict made a rare mention of life under the Nazis, calling it a "dark time," reports the AP . "It...

Pope Evicts 'Loose-Living' Monks

Monks hosted concerts starring prancing nuns

(Newser) - Some party-loving monks have been evicted from Rome's Santa Croce monastery by order of the Pope. The monks, whose abbey was attached to a church holding some of Catholicism's holiest relics, staged concerts featuring a lap dancer-turned-nun, hosted VIP guests including Madonna, and opened a hotel with a...

Pope Calls Shuttle Crew, Keeps Giffords in Mind

'I hope her health continues to improve'

(Newser) - Pope Benedict made a very long distance call this morning to the combined crews of shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station, notes SpaceFlight Now . And Gabby Giffords was on his mind. "I know that Mark Kelly's wife was a victim of a serious attack and I hope...

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