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Damascus, Aug. 1, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A top Islamic leader has issued an invitation for Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to visit Syria during the current Pauline year, the Italian Apcom news agency reports. Sheik Ahmad Badereddine Hassoun, the grand mufti of Syria, told reporters that he hoped the Pope would visit "in the footsteps of St. Paul." He volunteered to travel to Rome to help the Pontiff prepare for such a trip. The Vatican acknowledged the invitation without making any commitment. Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, observed that the invitation was a sign...

Rome, 23 July (AKI) - Pope Benedict XVI will meet Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki on Friday for the first time during his official visit to Italy. Al-Maliki is due to arrive in Rome on Thursday to meet his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi on the second leg of his European visit after talks with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in Berlin on Tuesday. The Iraqi prime minister will meet the Pope at the pontiff's summer residence at Castelgandolfo, outside Rome. He will then hold separate talks with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state. Iraq is home to the Chaldean...

Pope Benedict XVI on the Pope-a-boat under Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney, Jul 17, 2008 / 07:00 am (CNA).- In the midst of jubilant crowds, the Papal “Boat-a-cade” arrived at Barangaroo this afternoon, after sailing around Sydney Harbour, where the Pope waved to tens of thousands people who had lined the foreshore to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff's arrival. “His Holiness stood waving in full-view of the crowd on board the vessel,” said WYD08 spokesman Father Mark Podesta. The Papal Boat carried approximately 530 people including 168 international pilgrims. After thanking the indigenous people of Australia for their warm...

Catholic website drawing thousands back to faith Phoenix, Apr 7, 2008 / 10:28 am (CNA).- In less than three weeks, 3,000 Catholics returned to the Church in the Diocese of Phoenix due to the effort of a new lay apostolate, CatholicsComeHome.org.  The program consists of a website and commercials aired on local television that effectively portray the truth and goodness of the Catholic Church.In an interview with CNA, Catholics Come Home, Inc. founder and president, Tom Peterson explained that the ads are designed to take people to the website, CatholicsComeHome.org, where they can find answers to questions about Church teachings,...

New York, Apr 13, 2008 / 02:28 am (CNA).- Massive security operations will protect Pope Benedict XVI in his visit to New York City, including bomb-sniffing dogs, rooftop snipers and hovering helicopters, CBS News reports. "The closer you are to those locations, the more you are going to feel the effects of it," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.A reporter asked Kelly if the security for the visit will be like a United Nations General Assembly, followed by a parade, followed by a presidential visit, Kelly said “yes.”On Friday the Pope’s visits to the United Nations, the Park East Synagogue,...

Before he became pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was well-known at the Vatican, but he remains a bit unknown to those outside Rome. Test your knowledge of the pontiff, including his favorite soft drink. Q1. How many popes preceded Benedict? 1. 264 2. 150 3. 450 Q2. Pope Benedict is the first pope to: 1. Snowboard in his papal robes 2. Write a book 3. Own an iPod Nano Q3. Which writer and thinker is a favorite of Pope Benedict's and was also the subject of his dissertation? 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 2. St. Augustine 3. St. Teresa of Avila...

Staten Island, NY (LifeNews.com) -- A leading pro-life Catholic group is challenging pro-abortion politicians with new YouTube videos illustrating the two most common types of abortion methods. The videos are part of a campaign Priests for Life has started, called “Is This What You Mean?” Father Frank Pavone, the head of the pro-life group, talked with LifeNews.com about the new initiative.“Our campaign is based on a simple challenge: We quote the words of the doctors who perform abortions, and then we ask supporters of legal abortion, ‘Is this what you mean when you say the word abortion?,'" Father Pavone explained.“People...

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, APRIL 15, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI says that it is hard for him to understand how sexually abusive priests could have betrayed their mission, and promised that the Church will do everything possible so that such a situation does not repeat itself. The Pope affirmed this today from the Alitalia Boeing 777, "Shepherd One," that is carrying him to the United States for a 4 p.m. arrival at Andrews Air Force Base. Some 70 journalists are on-board the flight. "Really, it is a great suffering for the Church in the United States and for the Church...

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 15, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - American Life League has warned pro-abortion Catholic politicians not to politicize the Eucharist in a nation-wide, full page message addressed to Pope Benedict XVI. "First of all, welcome from the bottom of our hearts," says the ad. "From us all, thank you for the blessing of your presence. But most of all, please protect the body of Christ from the bloodstained hands of pro-abortion 'Catholics.'"On April 17, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate Mass in Washington, DC where pro-abortion Catholic politicians are expected to attempt to receive communion. "Pro-abortion Catholics, who are not really...

The following is a rush transcript of comments made by Pope Benedict XVI to reporters aboard the papal plane, on his way to his first pastoral visit to the United States.... Fr. Federico Lombardi: ...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...

On Monday 14 April, I was having dinner at an Irish pub in Washington, DC with two Catholic priests, a Catholic high school teacher, a community leader in DC, and a Catholic blogger/author known as the "bane of feminist feminist bloggers," when one of them noticed a message written on the side of a truck. I rushed over to the window with my camera, and took a picture of the truck and its message. This is how it turned out: Groups such as the so-called "Women's Ordination Conference" have sympathizers in the mainstream media. The Voice of America recently featured...

Following their private meeting in the Oval Office, a joint communique was released by President Bush and Pope Benedict. Fulltext: His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and President George W. Bush met today in the Oval Office of the White House. President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed the Holy Father, wished him a happy birthday, and thanked him for the spiritual and moral guidance, which he offers to the whole human family. The President wished the Pope every success in his Apostolic Journey and in his address at the United Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope’s upcoming...

Washington DC, Apr 16, 2008 / 01:53 pm (CNA).- Freddy Patino, a Colombian seminarian from the Archdiocese of New York, has been chosen to care for the Pope’s mitre and skullcap during his visit to New York. Patino, who was born in Medellin, Colombia, and lives in Yonkers, was overjoyed at the news.  “They posted the lists, and I went and looked and realized I was chosen to carry the mitre during the Mass at Yankee Stadium.  I thought they made a mistake but they didn’t.  I am thrilled,” he said in a interview with Caracol Radio.“On Friday the Pope...

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "Peace be with you!" (Jn 20:19). With these, the first words of the Risen Lord to his disciples, I greet all of you in the joy of this Easter season. Before all else, I thank God for the blessing of being in your midst. I am particularly grateful to Archbishop Wuerl for his kind words of welcome. Our Mass today brings the Church in the United States back to its roots in nearby Maryland, and commemorates the bicentennial of the first chapter of its remarkable growth - the division by my predecessor, Pope...

This recorded comment from President Bush to Pope Benedict is quickly becoming the talk of the town: When you hear it being talked about on the newsfloor of the BBC, it's gotta be news. Oh, and by the way, my interview on BBC World News went very well tonight. They talked with me for almost 4 1/2 minutes, which is a good stretch in the television news world, for those who keep track of these things. Address of Pope Benedict XVI at the White House Welcoming Ceremony     After the welcome of President Bush, Pope Benedict XVI responded with...

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...

Words spoken spontaneously by the Holy Father at the conclusion of the Holy Mass: At this moment I can only thank you for your love of the Church and Our Lord, and for the love which you show to the poor Successor of Saint Peter. I will try to do all that is possible to be a worthy successor of the great Apostle, who also was a man with faults and sins, but remained in the end the rock for the Church. And so I too, with all my spiritual poverty, can be for this time, in virtue of the...

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...

This sent to me last night by an overjoyed Megan B., of Hyde Park, New York: "Hello! I’m a long time reader of your blog and I wanted to give you some more details on the papal youth rally, which I was able to attend today. First of all, it was absolutely amazing. It was like a giant 4th of July fireworks event, or county fair (including long lines for food!) One of the things they didn’t show on TV (I don’t know if they mentioned it) was that there was also a prayer chapel and confessions available. The...

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'...

'Agent' of God helps boy meet Benedict BY CHRISTINA BOYLE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Sunday, April 20th 2008, 4:00 AM Handschuh/NewsSecret Service agent Brad Borst (below) carries Aaron Ruiz, 9, out of St. Patrick's. Ruiz, who has muscular dystrophy, was blessed by the Pope. Handschuh/News When Beverly Ruiz and her wheelchair-bound son arrived outside St. Patrick's Cathedral early Saturday they had no hope of getting inside.But all that changed when 9-year-old Aaron, who has muscular dystrophy, caught the eye of one of the Secret Service agents safeguarding Pope Benedict. Just moments before the historic Mass began, the federal agent singled...

The headlines and dramatic photos rush by during a papal visit, framing the sound bites that journalists uncover in stacks of Vatican speech texts.So Pope Benedict XVI visited the White House and proclaimed “God bless America!� Then he noted that, in this culture of radical individualism, “Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility.�The former theology professor, speaking to Catholic college leaders, enthusiastically embraced academic freedom. Then he stressed that traditional doctrine — as “upheld by the Church’s Magisterium� — should shape all aspects of a truly Catholic “institution’s life, both inside and outside the...

On the Trip to the UN and the US "I Have Had the Joy of Announcing 'Christ Our Hope'" VATICAN CITY, APRIL 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today at the general audience in St. Peter's Square. * * * Even if a few days have already passed since my return, I would like to dedicate the catechesis of today, as I normally do, to the apostolic trip that I made to the United Nations and the United States of America this past April 15 to 21. Before all, I renew my most...

Despite a 2004 order from the future Pope Benedict XVI barring pro-choice Catholic politicians from the Communion table, a quintet of elected officials flouted his wishes twice during his recent six-day visit here by partaking of the sacrament right before his eyes. The bishops whose job it is to enforce the pope's wishes have been all over the map in responding. While New York Cardinal Edward Egan publicly chastised former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani for taking Communion during an April 19 Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the bishops of Washington, Boston and Norwalk, Conn., have not disciplined members...

That the pope should come to American soil is a disgrace. That he should be here during Passover is an insult. The history of the Catholic Church is a history of persecution and oppression. Along with Protestants and Baptists, chief among its victims were the Jews. The pope is the head of this religious system. His stand in defense of human rights and the life of the unborn is a sham. Where were Benedict's predecessors when the church slaughtered thousands of Jews, Protestants and Baptists because they would not convert to Catholicism? What stand on the rights of the individual...

Speaking at the White House, Pope Benedict XVI April 16 embraced America's "quest for freedom...." Benedict explained: "Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility. Americans know this from experience - almost every town in this country has its monuments honoring those who sacrificed their lives in defense of freedom, both at home and abroad." April 16 was Pope Benedict's 81st birthday. The White House greeting, carefully scripted by US and Vatican officials, included the Army Chorus' moving rendition of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" -- anthem of an earlier war for freedom which...

One third now more likely to vote and be more active in community and Church. A poll taken immediately following the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the United States shows that it had a powerful impact on public attitudes toward the pope, the Church, and a willingness to live their faith more fully.The nationwide poll of 1,013 adults was commissioned by the Knights of Columbus and conducted by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion between April 22 and April 24, 2008.  Marist conducted a similar poll  prior to the pope’s visit, allowing before-and-after comparisons.Among the highlights of...

In the aftermath of the visit by Pope Benedict XVI, a troublesome question is asked by traditional Catholics: Did American pro-choice politicians receiving Communion at the papal masses indicate a softening on the abortion question by the pope? The answer is that it did not. On the contrary, it reflected disobedience to Benedict by the archbishops of New York and Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sens. John Kerry, Christopher Dodd and Edward M. Kennedy received Communion at Nationals Park in Washington, as did Rudolph Giuliani at Yankee Stadium in New York. They were present because they were invited to...

Perhaps you've already seen this column in The Washington Times, written by John Hagee, pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and author of several "end times" books based in premillennial dispensationalism. Hagee has been accused of being anti-Catholic, but he takes pains to counter those accusations: During his recent visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI not only conducted mass and met with the Catholic faithful, but he made a series of public statements about the role that our Judeo-Christian faith can play during these challenging times. As an evangelical Protestant I happen to disagree with Pope Benedict...

Paris, Apr 29, 2008 / 12:37 pm (CNA).- The Bishops’ Conference of France has officially announced that Pope Benedict XVI will travel to France for the 150th anniversary of the Marian apparitions that took place in Lourdes. The trip, which is scheduled for September 12-15, 2008, will begin with a greeting by French officials after which the Holy Father will head to the College des Bernardins where he will address the “world of culture.”  Then the Pope will pray vespers at the Cathedral of Notre Dame.  Following the prayer service, he will address young people gathered at the Cathedral.  On...

"I had an understanding with Mr. Rudolph Giuliani, when I became Archbishop of New York and he was serving as Mayor of New York, that he was not to receive the Eucharist because of his well-known support of abortion."

In the aftermath of the U.S. visit by Pope Benedict XVI, traditional Catholics are asking a troublesome question: Did pro-choice politicians receiving Communion at the papal Masses indicate the pope had softened on the abortion question? The answer is no. On the contrary, it reflected disobedience to Benedict by the archbishops of New York and Washington. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sens. John Kerry, Christopher Dodd and Edward M. Kennedy received Communion at Nationals Park in Washington, as did former mayor Rudolph Giuliani at Yankee Stadium in New York. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington and Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop of...

April 28, 2008 -- NEW YORK - New York Cardinal Edward Egan says Rudy Giuliani should not have received Holy Communion during the pope's visit because he supports abortion rights. Egan says he had "an understanding" with the former presidential candidate and New York mayor that he is not to receive the Eucharist. The Catholic Church teaches "that abortion is a grave offense against the will of God." The cardinal says Giuliani broke that understanding when he received the Eucharist during Pope Benedict XVI's visit. Egan says he will be seeking a meeting with Giuliani "to insist that he abide...

In the run-up to Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States, there was a tremendous display of unseriousness at the National Press Club, followed by a sacrilege at a nearby Washington, D.C., church. A misguided group called the Women's Ordination Conference held a protest – a press conference and an all-woman "Mass" at a local Methodist church. The group, as the name suggests, wants to see "the ordination of women as priests, deacons and bishops." Sadly, the group doesn't understand women or the Catholic Church. In a prepared statement, WOC executive director Aisha Taylor declared: "The failure to ordain...

Yonkers, NY, Apr 26, 2008 / 03:45 am (CNA).- St. Joseph Seminary in Yonkers, New York, has received dozens of applications following Pope Benedict’s visit, the New York Daily News reports."It's been like a tsunami, a good tsunami of interest," said Father Luke Sweeney, the Archdiocese of New York's vocations director.  “I've been meeting people all week and have a lot of e-mails I haven't had the chance yet to respond to. It has been incredible.”For the first time in 108 years, the seminary had been preparing for a year with no students.  Only 23 seminarians are expected to...

This month I must reflect on a phone call I received from an old and discerning friend who was extremely upset over the music used at the papal Mass in Washington on April 17, and on a note another friend sent saying, "It was as if the Washington, D.C., crowd were pleasing themselves and not their guest."  I missed the Mass but heard that it included quite a mélange of musical styles. My oldest son, who watched at his grade school, did not like it. Neither did Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, who apparently said on EWTN that the music was...

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI left New York April 20 after his six-day visit to the United States, Catholics were catching their breath from the whirlwind tour and many were trying to figure out what kind of impact the visit would leave in its wake. The trip -- anticipated since last November -- prompted a fair amount of guesswork about what the pontiff would and wouldn't say. Pope Benedict, not swayed by hearsay, frequently reiterated that the theme of the visit was "Christ Our Hope" and stressed his optimism that the visit would prompt "a time of spiritual...

Pope Benedict XVI came as our Pastor and as our Shepherd, and he spoke to us of our most human joys and sorrows, our hopes and our failures. He came in the name of Jesus Christ and he reminded us "to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus" [Hebrews 12:2]. Our Holy Father did not hesitate to lift up for us challenges and difficulties which our Church was facing here in the United States, but he never left us alone with our failures and problems. He stood with us, acknowledged the shame of sinful behavior, and urged us forward in...

NEW YORK—It is not every day that the Pope visits the United States. In fact, this past week saw the first visit of German-born Pope Benedict XVI to the United States, preceded by the visit of Pope John Paul II to St. Louis, Mo. in 1999. Whether Catholic or non-Catholic, the sheer popularity of this man—leader of approximately 1 billion Catholics worldwide and head of state of the Vatican—turns such a visit into a cultural phenomenon. The main theme behind the Pope's U.S. visit, which covered Washington, D.C. and New York City spanning five days from Apr. 15 to 20,...

  (photo by Dr. Geraldine M. Rohling)The Holy Father is greeted by the staffs of the National Shrine, the USCCB, and the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Monsignor Rossi, Rector of the National Shrine (left), and Archbishop Wuerl of Washington, D.C. (right), pause while the Holy Father admires the Basilica's beautiful mosaic domes.      Archbishop Wuerl and Monsignor Rossi escort the Holy Father on a tour of the Great Upper Church.  The Holy Father stopped to pray at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and the Oratory of Our Lady of  Altötting.  Both chapels are open to those visiting the National Shrine.  ...

Media: Lou Dobbs has gone from branding companies unpatriotic for practicing free trade to ridiculing religion. Now he describes the Pope as "absolutely repugnant." Can CNN tolerate bigotry in populist clothing?The cable news anchor has gone from newsman to anti-corporate agitator to, most recently, derider of Pope Benedict for critiquing the darkest recesses of popular culture. While elsewhere on CNN sex abuse victims described an impressive private meeting with the pontiff last Thursday, Dobbs ridiculed the Catholic leader that day into the weekend. Benedict had said the U.S. bishops' new anti-sexual-abuse policies must "be placed in a wider context." Those...

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- Pope Benedict XVI closed out his visit to the United States over the weekend with a strong pro-life message on the topic of abortion. The homily came after sharing his pro-life views with President Bush and a White House crowd and then urging Catholic Colleges not to give a platform to abortion advocates. During the sermon at Yankee Stadium in New York, the pope proclaimed the "inalienable dignity and rights" of "the most defenseless of all human beings, the unborn child in the mother's womb." He called on pro-life advocates to stand up for "those...

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...

Remember back in 2004 when some U.S. Catholic bishops declared they would deny communion to the Democratic candidate, Senator John Kerry, because he supported abortion rights? Reporters spied on him in church to see if he received or not. Pundits dreamed up terrible catch phrases like “wafer watch” and “wafer war.” The issue became part of the campaign that year. Now, four years later, Pope Benedict is visiting the U.S. and three prominent pro-choice politicians — Kerry, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former New York Mayor Rudi Giuliani — have stepped up and taken communion at his Masses with a...

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...

I searched, but didn't see this posted. This is the video of Kelly Clarkson singing Ave Maria for the Pope. It was for the youth rally and I think she did a great job.CLICK HERE

Pope's cat writes purrfect book BY STEPHANIE GASKELL DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Sunday, April 20th 2008, 4:00 AM There's one very unusual biography of Pope Benedict - a children's book, supposedly written by his cat."Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told by a Cat" is a 36-page illustrated book that chronicles the life of Benedict through the words of his cat, Chico. "I'm meeting you in the pages of this book to tell you a story about my very best friend, a wonderful man with whom I've shared so many happy times," Chico says. "I...

The following is a transcript of Pope Benedict XVI's remarks at ground zero: O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain. We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here -- the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on...

A Catholic priest from California who attended Mass with the Pope in New York at the weekend said afterwards that he thought His Holiness might have been “a little stunned and surprised by the warm welcome he's received”. This is entirely possible. The US has a way of surprising visitors, whether they be Benedict XVI or tourists attracted by the exchange rate and then won over by a diversity and generosity of spirit that defy stereotypes. But the real surprises of the Pope's visit have been for his hosts. Few of them can have expected him to be so candid...

Just announced on FOX there is a website up with a petition to get Bill Maher off the air. Maher insulted the Pope and all Catholics with his comments last week calling the Pope a "Nazi" and calling the Catholic Church "a child-abusing cult." Go to Fire Bill Maher Petition