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Triumphalism, as we all know, is a very bad thing. On the other hand, defeatism is worse. In any event, I am persuaded that the apostolic visit just completed was a triumph. As is probably evident from my earlier postings on the visit, as well as some of my comments on EWTN, I was not sure about that before the visit got underway, nor was I at all sure during the first days in Washington.The theme that Benedict chose for the visit was “Christ Our Hope.” That determinedly Christocentric focus was sustained through these days. Permit me a brief word...

This master teacher, theologian, Chief Pastor and Pope acted with precision, purpose, and profound care.

Mr. Vice-President, Distinguished Civil Authorities, My Brother Bishops, Dear Brothers and Sisters, The time has come for me to bid farewell to your country. These days that I have spent in the United States have been blessed with many memorable experiences of American hospitality, and I wish to express my deep appreciation to all of you for your kind welcome. It has been a joy for me to witness the faith and devotion of the Catholic community here. It was heart-warming to spend time with leaders and representatives of other Christian communities and other religions, and I renew my...

Aide: Pope Looking for Ecumenical Honesty Says Benedict XVI Not Satisfied With "Well Wishing" NEW YORK, APRIL 20, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is looking for a "commitment of honesty" from Christians engaged in ecumenical dialogue, according to a Vatican aide. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this Saturday in comments to the press on the address the Pope gave to ecumenical leaders Friday evening. The meeting of over 300 religious leaders involved in ecumenical dialogue gathered at St. Joseph's Parish in Manhattan. According to organizers, some 250 represented various Protestant churches, 50 were Orthodox leaders...

NEW YORK (CNS) -- In the most somber moment of his six-day visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI knelt alone at ground zero and offered a silent prayer. The cheering crowds were far away as the pope blessed the ground where the World Trade Center stood until terrorists forced planes into its twin towers Sept. 11, 2001. While the extraordinary security measures that surrounded the pope's entire visit tangibly demonstrated how the attacks changed the United States, the ground zero visit gave the pope an opportunity to speak to and console those whose lives were changed most directly...

From an Associated Press piece titled, "Impact of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to US to be seen" (April 21, 2008): Pope Benedict XVI's U.S. visit left behind the impression of a compassionate and candid leader who has made a successful transition from professor to pope. But it's uncertain whether the pontiff's six-day pilgrimage, which ended Sunday, will make a lasting imprint on a country he obviously admires. "In the short term, the trip was an enormous success, probably beyond anyone's expectations, including those of the pope himself," said Russell Shaw, a Catholic writer and former spokesman for the U.S. bishops'...

During the Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Easter celebrated 20 April 2008, the Holy Father gave the following homily.   Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus tells his Apostles to put their faith in him, for he is "the way, and the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6). Christ is the way that leads to the Father, the truth which gives meaning to human existence, and the source of that life which is eternal joy with all the saints in his heavenly Kingdom. Let us take the Lord at his...

Catholic priests in Clovis and Portales describe Pope Benedict XVI’s historic visit to the U.S. this week as a shepherd tending his flock while Ted Olmos of Clovis recalls the “awe” of seeing another pontiff, John Paul II, in 1987. Following a visit to Ground Zero in New York City this morning and an expected stadium-packed Mass this afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Yankee Stadium, Pope Benedict XVI will board a plane for Rome, ending his high-profile, six-day, first visit to the U.S. as pope. “The Pope spoke to the people’s hearts, and it was wonderful for the people of...

Here is the text of the Holy Father’s sermon for his Holy Mass in The Bronx, in NYC.  My emphases and comments:   Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,In the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus tells his Apostles to put their faith in him, for he is "the way, and the truth and the life" (Jn 14:6). Christ is the way that leads to the Father, the truth which gives meaning to human existence, and the source of that life which is eternal joy with all the saints in his heavenly Kingdom. Let us take the Lord at his...

Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley grew emotional today as he recounted to reporters the dramatic and unprecedented meeting earlier this week between Pope Benedict XVI and five people from Boston who had been sexually abused by priests. Asked how difficult the meeting was for him personally, O’Malley paused for a long moment and appeared to tear up. “Just seeing the book makes a great impact,” he said, referring to a handmade book he gave the pontiff listing the names of nearly 1,500 alleged victims of clergy sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Boston. As the pope slowly turned the pages, the...

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived on the stage at the youth rally at St. Joseph's Seminary at Yonkers, NY.

During the Mass for Clergy and Religious at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral on Saturday 19 April 2008, the third anniversary of his election to the Chair of St. Peter, the Holy Father delivered the following homily.Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, With great affection in the Lord, I greet all of you, who represent the Bishops, priests and deacons, the men and women in consecrated life, and the seminarians of the United States. I thank Cardinal Egan for his warm welcome and the good wishes which he has expressed in your name as I begin the fourth year of...

The first formal ecclesiastical event in Pope Benedict’s pastoral visit to the United States was his meeting with the entire body of U.S. bishops on Wednesday at the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, DC. Here he laid out his program for the episcopate in reviving Catholic life in America. It goes without saying that the goal is to make all things new, to enable the faith to permeate every aspect of life. But the primary means to this goal, according to Benedict, is formation in the faith, particularly Christian moral formation. Three American Obstacles To demonstrate why this...

Your Eminence, Dear Brother Bishops, Dear Young Friends,"Proclaim the Lord Christ … and always have your answer ready for people who ask the reason for the hope that is within you" (1 Pet 3:15). With these words from the First Letter of Peter I greet each of you with heartfelt affection. I thank Cardinal Egan for his kind words of welcome and I also thank the representatives chosen from among you for their gestures of welcome. To Bishop Walsh, Rector of Saint Joseph Seminary, staff and seminarians, I offer my special greetings and gratitude. Young friends, I am very...

"One of the blessings of being the President is I get to see firsthand how people are motivated by the fundamental truths articulated by the Holy Father."

Here is the text of the Holy Father’s sermon from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.  My emphases and comments: Keep in mind that the readings for this Mass will be from the Mass of Pentecost, a theme similar to that celebrated in Nationals Stadium.  The Holy Father is trying to help American’s look for a new "anointing" of the United States, with its special role in the world, by the Holy Ghost.   This is a Votive Mass for the Universal Church. Keep in mind that this Mass is for priests and religious.  Backdrop: The Holy Father has already...

The crowd that mobbed Nationals Park to see, or just be near, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday was a joyous, kaleidoscopic tableau of Catholics and non-Catholics from across the country who said they were drawn by faith, hope and a sense of the history of the moment. "It's a once-in-life experience," said Kevin Schoonmaker of Moline, Ill., who made the trip to Washington with his wife and five children even though they had only two tickets for the Mass. "The grace of being around such an event is well worth it." His wife, Maggie, and daughter Lexi, 13, used the tickets.......

Lombardi: Thank you, Your Holiness. Another theme upon which we had many questions from our colleagues was that of immigration, reflecting the growing presence of Hispanics in the society of the United States. We’ll have a question from our colleague Andres Beltramo, from the Notimex agency in Mexico. Beltramo: I’ll ask the question in Italian, but we would love to have just a greeting in Spanish. With the enormous growth in the Hispanic presence, the Catholic church in the United States is becoming steadily more bilingual and bicultural. Yet there’s also a growing “anti-immigrant” movement in America. Do you intend...

Just outside of the Metro station, around 7:30 pm. People are already filing in. Even Mother Teresa's nuns had to go through security. It was so great to see the Maronite priests there! I also met 1 Maronite lay woman and a nun who is also Maronite. The Holy Father in the Popemobile. The Pope processes in at the beginning of Mass. The Pope incenses the altar during the Offertory. The priests and deacons distributing Communion on the field were escorted with someone holding an umbrella - a modern spin on an ancient practice. Catholic blogger Dawn Eden, at left,...

Anybody who has ever had to stand at a podium after a gifted speaker knows how it might have been for Pope Benedict XVI this week as he has made the first papal visit to the United States since John Paul II. His predecessor was the ultimate media-savvy leader. When he came to the ultimate media-fixated nation, it was a match made in Heaven. Millions of the faithful and the merely curious flocked to parks and stadiums. People at times had to be physically restrained from throwing themselves at him. Even on his last trip here in 1999, visibly deteriorating,...

Pope resolution stalled over 'human life' language While Pope Benedict XVI's historic visit to Washington has received wall to wall coverage, Sen. Barbara Boxer briefly held up a Senate resolution welcoming the pontiff because she objected to language about how the pope values "each and every human life." Senators are trying to work out some alternative language to put into this measure, which should be a non-controversial resolution cleared on a voice vote by the Senate. Some Democrats obviously believe the "human life" reference is a reference to the pope's anti-abortion stance. A copy of the resolution can be found...

In a phrase: it's turning heads. I've posted the full text here for you to read yourself. John Allen summarizes here. Pope Benedict also held a Q&A session with the bishops, which CNA has posted here. As far as reactions go, Tim Drake starts us off with some comments from lay people and bishops. Russell Shaw at OSV, meanwhile, calls the speech "A bit of a bombshell" and says "If the bishops were looking for an agenda, they have one now." Alehandro Bermudez, the editor of CNA blogging for the New York Times, takes Pope Benedict to mean "Catholics...

In a video message to Americans last week, Pope Benedict XVI said the purpose of his trip to the United States, which begins today in Washington, D.C., is to reach out spiritually to all Roman Catholics living in this country. “Together with your bishops, I have chosen as the theme of my journey three simple but essential words: Christ our hope,” said the German-born pontiff. “Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition. Through him, our lives reach fullness and together, both as individuals and peoples, we can become a family united...

WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 13, 2008 (Zenit.org).- U.S. President George Bush said that when he looks into Benedict XVI's eyes, he sees God.The president made this affirmation Friday when he answered the last question posed him during an interview with Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) anchor Raymond Arroyo.Arroyo noted that Bush is planning an all-out welcome for the Pope, who arrives in the United States on Tuesday for a five-day visit. Most notably, Bush will go to the airport to receive the Holy Father, a courtesy he has never extended to any visiting leader.The president says he plans to do this...

He's been called enigmatic, erudite and elegant. Nearly three years into Benedict XVI's papacy, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger has managed to puzzle his detractors, who on the day he was elected pope, predicted a "papa ratzi" pontificate. Instead, Benedict named himself after Pope Benedict XV, who headed the church during World War I, and Benedict of Nursia, the man who brought monasticism to Europe 15 centuries ago. "[Among] the surprises of the past three years, there is this pope's striking popularity, which I don't believe has registered well on certainly North American radar screens," said papal scholar George Weigel...

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- An author writing a new biography on Pope Benedict XVI says genocide during the Nazi regime in World War II played a key role in shaping the pro-life views of the Catholic leader. Author Brennan Pursell relates the story in his upcoming book Benedict of Bavaria. Pursell learned of the tragic story while compiling material for the book. He found out that, as a 14-year-old boy, Joseph Ratzinger had a cousin born with Down Syndrome who was just a couple years younger. In 1941, German "therapists" arrived at the boy's home and took him away --...

The Pope will pray for the redemption of Islamic terrorists when he visits the site of the September 11 attacks in New York next week. The pontiff will call for terrorists to convert to Christianity, saying: "Turn to Your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred. "God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance". The prayer is likely to further incense the Muslim world, which has already attacked the Pope for publicly converting Magdi Allam, a journalist and one of Italy's most high-profile Muslims, at Easter. Osama...

He's the man who can make dozens of D.C. streets close down because HE needs to use them. He can have your car towed if it is in his way. He can bring traffic to a standstill. And he's not the President. For four days next week, Pope Benedict XVI will be in the District spreading messages of faith, but also making traffic a nightmare. It's the Pope's first visit to the U.S., and it all starts right here. "This is the Pope, it's a big deal," D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said on WTOP's Ask the Chief program last...

"Revolution and utopia—the nostalgia for a perfect world—are connected; they are the concrete form of this new political, secularized messianism. The idol of the future devours the present; the idol of revolution is the adversary of reasonable political action aimed at making concrete improvement to the world." -- Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, "Political Visions and Practical Politics." [1] "As a theologian, I do not regard philosophy as being, ultimately, a study which we pursue for philosophy's sake. Yet...the integrity of the faith depends on rigor of philosophic thinking such that careful philosophizing is an irreplaceable part of theological work!" -- Joseph...

HH: It’s a special program, one of a couple I’m going to be running in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States. Benedict was elected Pope on April 19th, 2005, and much has happened in the succeeding three years. To discuss what has happened in those three years, and what to expect when he visits the United States, we’re joined by Father Joseph Fessio, SJ. If you’ve listened to this program in the past, Father Fessio has often been here, and we really appreciate it. He received his doctorate in theology in 1975 from the University of...

Vatican frustration over what it views as the failure of many U.S. Catholic colleges to adhere to church teachings, school leaders are intently watching for a rebuke from Pope Benedict XVI during his Washington visit next month.The pope requested the meeting with more than 200 top Catholic school officials from across the country. The gathering will come amid debate over teachings and campus activities that bishops have slammed as violating Catholic doctrine: a rally by pro-abortion rights Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton at St. Mary's University in San Antonio; a Georgetown University theologian's questioning whether Jesus offers the only...

ITALIAN editor and critic of Islamic extremism Magdi Allam, who converted to Catholicism from Islam and was baptised by Pope Benedict XVI, today branded his former faith as intrinsically violent. "I had to do this (abandon Islam)", Allam wrote in a long letter to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera. "Beyond ... the phenomenon of extremists and Islamist terrorism at the global level, the root of evil is inherent to a physiologically violent and historically conflictual Islam," wrote the Egyptian-born journalist, who says he has received death threats and is under police protection. One of seven adults baptised during an...

The Forum: Rehabilitating Luther: a London Times theory by Phil Lawler special to CWNews.com Mar. 6, 2008 (CWNews.com) - "Pope Benedict is to rehabilitate Martin Luther," announces reporter Richard Owen in the eye-catching opening phrase of his story in the London Times. Reports that appear in the Times often find their way into other news stories. That is unfortunate, because the Times has a track record of sensational and misleading coverage of Vatican affairs. This story provides one more example. Here are the facts that Owens supplies: In the Ratzinger Schülerkreis, the informal seminar that Pope Benedict holds each year...

The Times March 6, 2008 That Martin Luther? He Wasn’t So Bad, Says Pope Richard Owen in Rome Pope Benedict XVI is to rehabilitate Martin Luther, arguing that he did not intend to split Christianity but only to purge the Church of corrupt practices. Pope Benedict will issue his findings on Luther (1483-1546) in September after discussing him at his annual seminar of 40 fellow theologians — known as the Ratzinger Schülerkreis — at Castelgandolfo, the papal summer residence. According to Vatican insiders the Pope will argue that Luther, who was excommunicated and condemned for heresy, was not a heretic....

VATICAN CITY, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Serbia took its campaign against Kosovo's independence to the Vatican on Thursday when its ambassador told Pope Benedict that "moral principles" alone showed it was an injustice. But the Pontiff, receiving Serbia's ambassador to the Holy See, steered clear of the dispute and renewed his call for all sides to show restraint. "With regard to the current crisis in Kosovo, I call upon all interested parties to act with prudence and moderation, and to seek solutions that favour mutual respect and reconciliation," the Pontiff said. Sunday's declaration of independence by Kosovo, which has a...

Papal Address to Envoy From Serbia "With Regard to Kosovo, I Call Upon All Parties to Act With Prudence" VATICAN CITY, FEB. 21, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is the address Benedict XVI's gave today in English upon receiving in audience Vladeta Jankovic, Serbia's new ambassador to the Holy See. * * * Your Excellency, I am pleased to welcome you at the start of your mission and to accept the Letters accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Holy See. I thank you for your kind words and for the greetings you bring from...

Remember 4th vow, Pope urges JesuitsVatican, Feb. 21, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) gave the world's Jesuits a pointed reminder of their oath of fidelity, during a February 21 audience with participants in the 35th general congregation of the Society of Jesus. Meeting with the Jesuit leaders as they concluded their general congregation-- at which they had elected a new superior general, Father Adolfo Nicolas-- the Holy Father stressed that the Jesuit order today should act "in full fidelity to the original charism." That original charism, the Pope continued, is marked by devotion and obedience...

What will 2008 be known for? Predictions are already being made. Some say it will be remembered as the year a new set of modern-day baseball heroes fell. A better bet says it will be known as the year Barack Obama galvanized the Democratic Party around a new leader. But we know that another figure will eclipse Roger Clemens and Obama. The year 2008 will be the year of Pope Benedict XVI. At first, that sounds counterintuitive. After all, the Holy Father is just going to visit and make some remarks. And besides, he’s mostly of interest to Catholics —...

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 6, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The cardinal who administered ashes to Benedict XVI today says the exhortations that accompany the rite are not easy to say to a Pope.Cardinal Jozef Tomko, cardinal-priest of the Basilica of Santa Sabina where the Bishop of Rome celebrated this evening's Ash Wednesday Mass, has been the prelate who administers ashes to the Pontiff for the last 12 years. He receives this task because he was assigned the cardinal titular church where the Pontiff traditionally celebrates Mass for the beginning of Lent. Like all Catholics, the Holy Father receives the ashes while the one...

*FLASH* Buried deep in the story, but it originates from a knowledgeable source: Susan Gibbs, communications director for the Washington, D.C., archdiocese, said there will be plenty of other chances to see the pope. She said Vatican officials this week agreed to take the "popemobile" out for a spin several times while the pontiff is in the nation’s capital, making papal sightings more possible for the crowds expected to line the streets. The routes have not yet been released, Gibbs said.This update reverses earlier reports that there would be no popemobile touring during the visit. Hoorah! My complete coverage...

Pope Benedict XVI has launched a surprise attack on climate-change prophets of doom, warning them that any solutions to global warming must be based on firm evidence and not on dubious ideology. The leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics suggested that fears over man-made emissions melting the ice caps and causing a wave of unprecedented disasters were nothing more than scare-mongering. The German-born Pontiff said that while some concerns may be valid it was vital that the international community based its policies on science rather than the dogma of the environmentalist movement. His remarks will be made in...

VATICAN, November 21, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI has again come out with strong statements condemning the culture of death and encouraging scientists, researchers, medical personnel and pastoral workers to respect the value of life in the face of growing demands to euthanize the elderly sick.The Pope expressed his concern to participants of the 22nd international conference promoted by the Pontifical Council for Health Care, held last week, which focused on the pastoral care of elderly sick people.In his address he described "today's mentality of efficiency" which views the elderly infirm as a burden and problem for society,...

Two and a half years after the name "Josephum" came booming down from the balcony of St Peter's, making liberal Catholics weep with rage, Pope Benedict XVI is revealing his programme of reform. And it is breathtakingly ambitious. The 80-year-old Pontiff is planning a purification of the Roman liturgy in which decades of trendy innovations will be swept away. This recovery of the sacred is intended to draw Catholics closer to the Orthodox and ultimately to heal the 1,000 year Great Schism. But it is also designed to attract vast numbers of conservative Anglicans, who will be offered the protection...

Saudi Arabia's king visited the pope at the Vatican this week, and the leader of Catholicism expressed grief over the draconian discrimination experienced by Christian minorities in some Muslim lands. During the unprecedented and historic encounter, Benedict XVI gave the Saudi monarch an old painting of the Vatican. The king's gift to the pontiff: a sword. As a gift from from a leading Islamic fundamentalist nation, a sword is about as clear a symbol of intolerance as there can be; and indeed, swords are used for public decapitations in Saudi Arabia on Fridays. The U.S. State Department's yearly human rights...

Pope Rules Patients in Permanent Vegetative State May Not be Denied Artificial Nutrition and Hydration Response to certain questions raised by US Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning artificial nutrition and hydration By John-Henry Westen VATICAN CITY, September 14, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In most hospitals in North America, families of patients in permanent vegetative state are asked if they wish their family member to have their artificial feeding tube removed. According to a definitive ruling by the Vatican made public today, the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration from such patients is immoral. The ruling from the Vatican's Congregation for the...

The peace of Christ is not "the absence of conflict" but the "struggle against evil," Benedict XVI says. The Pope said this today to those gathered at the pontifical residence at Castel Gandolfo to pray the Angelus. He added that being instruments of Christ's peace means "defeating evil with good." Speaking about the words of Jesus from today's Gospel -- "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division" -- the Holy Father clarified that this saying "means the peace that he came to bring is not synonymous with...

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI's eagerly awaited letter to Roman Catholics in China will be released on Saturday, the Vatican said, the pontiff's latest effort to reach out to Beijing and bring all of China's faithful into the Vatican's fold. A Vatican statement issued Friday said the pope's letter — addressed to bishops, priests and lay faithful in China — would be released at noon Saturday (1000 GMT). China forced its Roman Catholics to cut ties with the Vatican in 1951, shortly after the officially atheist Communist Party took power. Worship is allowed only in the government-controlled churches, which recognize...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI urged university professors to create solutions for "the crisis of modernity" as well as investigate Christianity's contribution to the study of human nature. "Europe is presently experiencing a certain social instability and diffidence in the face of traditional values," but its history and universities "have much to contribute to shaping a future of hope," he told participants in the first European meeting of university professors. The participants came to the Vatican to meet the pope June 23. Representatives from around the world came to Rome for the June 21-24 meeting, "A New Humanism...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With a touch of envy, Pope Benedict XVI told employees of the Vatican Library and the Vatican Secret Archives that he had hoped to retire 10 years ago and spend the rest of his life studying, researching and writing. "At the end of my 70th year of age, I would have liked it very much if the beloved John Paul II would have allowed me to dedicate myself to the study and research of the interesting documents and items you carefully safeguard," the pope told the employees June 25. "The Lord had other plans for me...