National Catholic Reporter

The Independent News Source

Vatican

Historians ask: Is Francis a John XXIII?

by Joshua J. McElwee

In somewhat muted tones, some are asking if Pope Francis will be like Pope John XXIII, a beloved figure among many for his decision to open the Second Vatican Council.

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Governance a top issue in 2013 conclave

by John L. Allen Jr.

Eight years ago, when the cardinals of the world gathered to elect a successor to Pope John Paul II, their watchword was “continuity.” Buoyed by the massive outpouring of grief...
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Francis preaches mercy, forgiveness on first papal Sunday

by Dennis Coday, Joshua J. McElwee

Rome dispatch: Pope Francis' first Sunday as pontiff stressed both mercy and a knack for personally engaging with an audience.

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The story from the Sistine Chapel on Pope Francis' election

by David Gibson, Religion News Service

How did Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio get to 77 votes so quickly? Here's some insider knowledge the cardinals have provided.

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What’s in store for the new pope's first days?

by John L. Allen Jr.

If it hasn’t happened by the time you are reading this newspaper, sometime very soon the Catholic church will have a new pope. Naturally the world will be waiting to find out what kind of leader he’s likely...

by John L. Allen Jr.

Now that Pope Benedict has granted his own wish to step down, the debate over his legacy is officially open.

Vatican to enlist Christian all-stars to help scandal-ridden sports

Carol Glatz Catholic News Service | Jan. 16, 2013

In an effort to flex its moral muscle in the professional sports arena, the Vatican has invited top-tier Christian athletes Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin to help bring ethical values back to a scandal-ridden world of sports.

The Pontifical Council for Culture is planning to host an international conference on re-instilling values in sports this spring, inviting representatives from top world governing bodies like FIFA (the International Federation of Association Football), the International Cycling Union and the Italian National Olympic Committee.

Church supports World Leprosy Day to raise awareness, stop stigma

Catholic News Service | Jan. 15, 2013

While the global rate of new infections of Hansen's disease, or leprosy, continues to decline, the stigma associated with the disease has not, and that often is the focus of annual church statements marking World Leprosy Day.

For the past 60 years, Christians around the world have marked the last Sunday of January as a day to pray for those with Hansen's disease, to raise awareness about it and to thank ministers and health care workers -- many of them Catholic -- who offer treatment, therapy and support to patients.

Pope baptizes, welcomes babies into a personal relationship with Jesus

Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service | Jan. 14, 2013

The Sistine Chapel sounded a bit like a nursery Monday as Pope Benedict XVI baptized 20 babies, whose crying provided a constant accompaniment to the two-hour Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Referring to the day's reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, which recounts the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist, Pope Benedict said that in choosing to receive the sacrament, Jesus showed he "was really immersed in our human condition; he lived it to the utmost -- although without sin -- and in such a way that he understands weakness and fragility."

Pope Benedict completes 'ad limina' visits with world's bishops

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Jan. 7, 2013

It took more than seven years, but Pope Benedict XVI has hosted the formal visits of bishops from every country in the world and will begin the cycle all over again by meeting the heads of Italy's 227 dioceses in 2013.

The Code of Canon Law calls for the heads of every diocese in the world to make their formal visit ad limina apostolorum ("to the threshold of the apostles") every five years, but there are now almost 2,900 dioceses in the world and the 85-year-old pope also has other obligations as well.

The government's hunt for a Vatican envoy to pass muster

John L. Allen Jr. | Jan. 7, 2013

Analysis: President Obama needs to find a new envoy to the Vatican, and his choice for a replacement is being watched in Rome.

'God's blunder'

Thomas C. Fox | Jan. 6, 2013

Pope Benedict’s World Day of Peace remarks, including his critique of “unregulated financial capitalism” were most welcomed. His words, coming out of Catholic social teachings, are not likely to go down well with ideologues of the free market.

It was unfortunate, however, he linked his otherwise timely remarks with another slap at gays and lesbians. Why must a treatise on the economy contain reflections on the “natural structure of marriage”?

SSPX head says Vatican sent mixed messages during reconciliation talks

Carol Glatz Catholic News Service | Jan. 4, 2013

The head of the Society of St. Pius X said he has been receiving mixed messages from the Vatican over how the group might be brought back into full communion with the church.

Vatican official thanks mothers of priests, asks for their prayers

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Jan. 3, 2013

The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

Writing on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, on Tuesday, the cardinal said having a priest-son requires a new form of motherhood, one that involves a "discreet, but very effective and invaluably precious accompaniment in prayer."

Piacenza's letter was posted, in Italian, on the website of the clergy congregation.

by John Wijngaards

Essay: We can't forget the advice of Teresa of Avila, who wrote that given the choice between a saintly confessor and one who is a good theologian, trust the theologian.