This Sunday, live from the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Salt + Light Television will broadcast a special Mass of Thanksgiving for the pontificate of Benedict XVI. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Archbishop of Washington, is the principal celebrant and homilist. He will be joined by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Apostolic Nuncio ...read more

By Warren Schmidt (S+L) Toronto “The pope resigned.” These words, spoken to me by a Basilian confrere, were the first words I heard on Monday, 11 February, the morning after Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would be stepping down from the Petrine office on 28 February 2013. Besides my initial dumbfounded reaction to this ...read more

Reading from a sermon by Saint Leo the Great, Pope, from the Office of Readings for February 22, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Out of the whole world one man, Peter, is chosen to preside at the calling of all nations, and to be set over all the apostles and all the fathers ...read more

Today’s snapshot is of Pope Benedict’s first tweet on his Twitter account @Pontifex Dec. 12, 2012 in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. CNS photo/L ‘Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...read more

By Leanna Cappiello (S+L) New York When I found out about Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, I was far away from home, on leave from work at the Holy See Mission. I was sitting in a chair in the early morning sunrise, reading a book. I was not connected to the internet and did not expect ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict speaks to prelates at the end of his prayers at the Vatican March 3, 2012. The pope and top Vatican officials were on a weeklong Lenten retreat. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano ...read more

  If you click the image above, you will be led to an interactive media element showing you the details of the upcoming Papal Conclave. This is really cool and full of fascinating information. This makes learning about the upcoming conclave fun. Source: vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/come-si-elegge-il-papa * Please consider donating to Salt + Light this Lent ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict prays May 15, 2009 inside the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at the spot which marks the place Jesus was crucified at Golgatha. The church in the Old City of Jerusalem was one of the last places the pope visited during his weeklong pilgrimage to the Holy Land. CNS photo/Yannis ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict waves to astronauts on the International Space Station after speaking with them from the Vatican via a video link May 21, 2011. The Holy Father asked the astronauts how science can help in the pursuit of peace and the need to protect a fragile planet. CNS photo description/L’Osservatore Romano ...read more

To some, the leadership of the Church represents a distant, shadowy club. The term “hierarchy” has been irreparably damaged, so loaded with connotations of stodgy elites isolated in plush curial offices. But those who actually know the leaders of our Church can see a very different image. The Cardinal Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins, is ...read more