Now that we have a date, the next big question on everyone’s mind is how long will it take before we know who’s our next Pope? In the last one hundred years there have been nine conclaves to date, ten if you count the one that will start on March 12. In honour of this ...read more

Photo: Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel at the beginning of the conclave at the Vatican on April 18, 2005. The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013.  A Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica in the ...read more

In the weeks leading up to the conclave the Cardinals are meeting in Rome to discuss the state of the Church and the profile of the new pope. It is no secret that questions of administration and governance at the Vatican have been raised. But there are also serious conversations going on about evangelization, inter-religious dialogue, ...read more

One week ago, we began previewed A New Leaf across the country. Within the span of seven days, our documentary was screened in Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria. It was a grueling tour for myself and our travelling team from Development and Peace. We were joined by Fr. Isidore Ouedraogo from Caritas Burkina Faso, who ...read more

Cardinal Marc Ouellet with Peter Mansbridge and cameraman Dave Rae. (Sebastian Gomes) CBC. Standing on the rooftop of his apartment building in Vatican City, Marc Ouellet pointed across St. Peter’s Square towards the building that houses the Pope’s residence. “I used to come up here often in the evenings and I’d always see the lights on, ...read more

The Cardinals gathered in General Congregation meetings in Rome wrote and send a telegram to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Below is the text of that telegram. TO HIS HOLINESS POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI CASTEL GANDOLFO THE CARDINAL FATHERS, GATHERED AT THE VATICAN FOR THE GENERAL CONGREGATIONS IN VIEW OF THE NEXT CONCLAVE, SEND YOU THEIR ...read more

Reverend Brendan Collins is a Catholic Deacon for the Diocese of Derry, presently based in pastoral ministry in Northern Ireland.  After high school Deacon Brendan studied Business at University and worked in retail management before entering seminary in 2006.  He was a member of the International Liturgy Group for World Youth Day in Australia 2008 ...read more

Sebastian Gomes speaks with Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C. in Rome on the final day of Pope Benedict’s Pontificate.  The Cardinal shares his thoughts on Pope Benedict’s departure, his lasting legacy, and the important characteristics of the new pope. ...read more

What a historic moment we are living in the Church! Pope Benedict officially left his office last Thursday and so we start thinking about his legacy. Eight years, 24 travels outside of Italy, three encyclicals, five synods;  it is incredible how much this pontificate gave to us. Some say that his real legacy will be ...read more

This was perhaps the most highly anticipated and yet unwanted week for the Vatican. On Thursday Pope Benedict’s resignation officially took effect. The days leading up to the unprecedented event were full of papal “lasts”: his last angelus, the last general audience, and his last meeting with the college of cardinals. This week’s edition of ...read more