Cardinal Angelo Sodano spoke on behalf of the College of Cardinals at 11am this morning expressing deep gratitude for the service of Pope Benedict XVI.  Following the address, the Pope personally greeted all of the Cardinals present.  Here is the full text of Cardinal Sodano. Your Holiness, With great trepidation the Cardinal Fathers present in ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict pets a lion cub during an audience with circus performers and music bands in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 1, 2012. CNS photo/Paul Haring ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict takes in the panoramic view from Mount Nebo in Madaba, Jordan, May 9, 2009. Mount Nebo is where Moses glimpsed the Promised Land before dying. The pope was making a week-long pastoral visit to the Holy Land. CNS photo/Greg Tarczynski ...read more

Tonight on Perspectives: the Holy See announces what to call Pope Benedict after his resignation and Cardinal Turcotte speaks to the media before he leaves to take part in the conclave. ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict meets with Cuba’s former President Fidel Castro at the apostolic nunciature in Havana March 28, 2012. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...read more

Photo: Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata, Vice-Chamberlain of the Apostolic Chamber, sits between Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ and Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB at this afternoon’s press briefing at the Vatican.  Archbishop Celata gave a summary of the Motu Proprio issued by Pope Benedict. Just before noon in Rome, Pope Benedict issued a Motu Proprio leaving the ...read more

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has accepted on the 18 February 2013 the resignation of His Eminence Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh.   This information will be announced and published in the Osservatore Romano of Monday 25 February 2013. The Cardinal had already presented ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict greets the crowd at the conclusion of the Way of the Cross in Plaza de Cibeles during World Youth Day in Madrid Aug. 19, 2011. CNS photo/Paul Haring ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict accepts a gift from Canadian Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief David Harper at the end of his weekly audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican March 23, 2011. CNS photo/L’Osservator e Romano via Reuters ...read more

The Vatican Secretariat of State has issued a statement on the upcoming conclave and the external influence of various news stories. Read the full text here: The freedom of the College of Cardinals, which is responsible for providing under the law for the election of the Roman Pontiff, has always been strongly defended by the ...read more