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

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing “urbi et orbi,” to the city of Rome and to the world, from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2010. CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters ...read more

In today’s snapshot, Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims after a Mass held on Islinger Field near Regensburg, Germany, Sept. 12, 2006. In a sermon before an estimated 300,000 people, the pope said it was necessary to recognize the modern pathologies associated with reason and religion and the ways that “God’s image can be destroyed ...read more

In the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise announcement on Monday, this week’s Vatican Connections is dedicated to the unfolding events in Rome. The papal resignation is unchartered territory in many ways: the last pope who resigned was Gregory XII in 1415. This week’s Vatican Connections features reactions from the Cardinals who were in the ...read more

Today’s snapshot comes from Pope Benedict’s Apostolic trip to England. Here, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Pope Benedict XVI exchange gifts in the Morning Drawing Room at the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 16, 2010. Pictured at left is Prince Philip. The pope was beginning his four-day state visit to Great Britain. CNS ...read more

Today’s snapshot comes from Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Voyage to Benin. In this photo Pope Benedict XVI kisses a child during his visit at the St. Rita Parish of Cotonou, Benin on November 19, 2011. – CNS photo/LOsservatore Romano via Catholic Press Photo ...read more

In today’s snapshot of Pope Benedict’s papacy we remember his meeting with children on March 24, 2012 in Peace Square, Guanajuato, Mexico. A joyous occasion marked with tremendous significance for the Church, in Mexico, and around the world. CNS photo/Paul Haring ...read more

News reports about Pope Benedict’s health invariably mention that he has taken on a lighter schedule over the past several months. This is only partly true. While it’s indisputable that the Pope made only two international trips in 2012 — to Mexico and Cuba in March, and Lebanon in September — his daily schedule could ...read more

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 When this story broke, I started receiving texts from all my friends, many of them far from church-minded, asking what this meant. I suppose in a world ...read more