Pope Benedict XVI has advised holidaymakers to pack a copy of Sacred Scripture in an address to pilgrims at Castel Gandolfo, his summer residence. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said the Pope had suggested to “include a copy of the Sacred Scriptures in our suitcase” follows on from his call last year for Catholics to become more familiar with the Bible.
The Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization unveiled a new project today to re-evangelize some of Europe’s major cities. The metropolitan missions will be aimed at those who live the faith but often do so in a way that “lacks an awareness of how this can infuse their lifestyle.” The missions also hope to engage those who are far from the faith, but are “nonetheless attracted by the person of Jesus Christ.”
"Each World Youth Day is an extraordinary experience for a Church which is friend to young people, which shares their problems", said Cardinal Rylko. "A Church which places herself at the service of the new generations. It is an experience of Universal Church - unique of its kind - which embraces the entire planet, of a young Church full of enthusiasm and missionary vigour.
The Vatican is turning to the Internet in its struggle against child abuse with a new website allowing clergy around the world to share information on eradicating the problem. It will be “a step … on a long and painful path,” adding the website would bring together the latest research on child abuse and Church laws, while allowing churches in different countries to have their say.
Pope Benedict XVI has described the priesthood as a demanding and “awe-inspiring” ministry that brought him closer to God. The Pope’s unusually personal recollection came on the 60th anniversary of his priestly ordination in Bavaria in 1951 and the feast of Ss Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome.
The Pope, 84, tapped an iPad to activate the portal and send the tweet. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are all now being used by the Vatican to spread its Christian message. Under a logo which reads "News.va, The Vatican Today", the new portal offers "an exclusive, multimedia presentation of all the other communications websites of the Holy See".
The focus of Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Zagreb, Croatia, June 4-5 will be on the family and building a community with Christian values.In the 84-year-old pope's 19th trip abroad and his 13th to a European country, he also will continue to underline the importance he places on reviving Europe's Christian roots.
William Shakespeare was probably a Catholic, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who discussed spirituality and secularism in the Bard’s plays with the actor Simon Russell Beale.
The bishops’ conference of England and Wales was expected to discuss its most basic priorities this week at a meeting that may lead to a shake-up of Eccleston Square, its administrative headquarters in central London.
Spokesman for northeast India bishops Salesian Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati has delivered a message to Pope Benedict XVI that his community stands ready to help the universal Church in any way that it can.
In view of the next World Youth Day planned for Madrid between 16 and 21 August 2011, a handbook “Youcat” has been prepared intended to help young people in a clear and modern way to know the principal themes of the Catholic Faith.
Opening the gathering of around 150 bloggers from around the world, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli stressed that the meeting was aimed at reaching a "broader and deeper understanding" between blog writers and the Vatican. Father Lombardi Encourages Open and Frank Dialogue on Faith
Sunday's beatification is scheduled for10 a.m.Rome time at Saint Peter's Square. Once the Pope announces the beatification, a large tapestry with the smiling face of John Paul II will shine from the basilica.
At the beginning of the seventh year of Benedict XVI's Pontificate, on 19 April 2011, L'Osservatore Romano launched its new site. The various editions are now accessible (in addition to the Italian daily, the weekly editions in Italian, English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and the monthly in Polish).
Mgr Newton met the Holy Father and presented him with several gifts on behalf of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.Accompanying Mgr Newton were Auxiliary Bishop Alan Hopes of Westminster.
Japan's bishops, meeting in Sendai March 16, decided to establish the center and initiate additional relief efforts under the supervision of Caritas. "Young people are continually coming to Caritas from all the dioceses to offer their availability as volunteers to bring aid to the areas most affected by the disaster,"
The church highlighted the assassination of Pakistani minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti at the start of March. Mr Bhatti was the only Christian member of the cabinet in Pakistan. Cardinal O'Brien said: "To increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who speak up for religious freedom are gunned down is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy.
At the end of 2009, the worldwide Catholic population increased by 15 million or 1.3 per cent, slightly outpacing the global population growth rate, which was estimated at 1.1 per cent, according to a statement by the Vatican press office.
Top Muslim academics in Egypt have announced they are suspending all dialogue with the Vatican to protest Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks about anti-Christian violence in Egypt.
Three Anglican bishops who are converting to Roman Catholicism have taken holy communion at Westminster Cathedral,
