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.

Benedict's third volume in Jesus trilogy ready for Christmas

Dennis Coday | Nov. 14, 2012

BENEDICT XVI'S “THE INFANCY NARRATIVES” TO BE PRESENTED ON 20 NOVEMBER

Vatican City, 14 November 2012 (VIS) - The Vatican Publishing House and Rizzoli Publications today announced that the book "L'Infanzia di Gesu", the third volume of Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict XVI's trilogy on Jesus of Nazareth, will be presented to the press on 20 November. The book is due to appear in English with the title "Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives".

Visiting elderly, pope says 'it's wonderful being old'

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Nov. 12, 2012

Presenting himself as "an elderly man visiting his peers," Pope Benedict XVI visited a Rome residence for the elderly, urging the residents to see their age as a sign of God's blessing and urging society to value their presence and wisdom.

"Though I know the difficulties that come with being our age, I want to say, it's wonderful being old," the 85-year-old pope said Monday during a morning visit to the residence run by the lay Community of Sant'Egidio.

Vatican court finds computer tech guilty of aiding, abetting butler

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Nov. 12, 2012

A Vatican court found a computer expert in the Secretariat of State guilty of aiding and abetting the papal butler, who was convicted of stealing sensitive Vatican correspondence.

Vatican says it hasn't lost the gay marriage fight

Alessandro Speciale Religion News Service | Nov. 9, 2012

Despite recent setbacks in the United States and Europe, the Catholic church is not losing the fight on gay marriage, the Vatican semiofficial newspaper claimed Friday.

On the contrary, according to an article in L'Osservatore Romano by historian Lucetta Scaraffia, the church has emerged in recent years as the only institution on the global stage that's capable of resisting the forces that threaten to "break up ... human society."

Vatican owes Asian bishops apology for bumping conference

Thomas C. Fox | Nov. 9, 2012

Viewpoint: The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences had to reschedule a meeting two years in the making because of the Nov. 24 consistory, and that's not fair.

Cardinal: Vatican-SSPX talks do not signal toleration of anti-Judaism

Cindy Wooden | Nov. 8, 2012

The effort to reintegrate the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X into the Catholic church "absolutely does not mean" that the Catholic church will accept or support the anti-Jewish or anti-Semitic positions espoused by some members of the society, said Cardinal Kurt Koch.

Pope sends $1 million in aid for Syria, cardinal delegate to Lebanon

Carol Glatz Catholic News Service | Nov. 7, 2012

Instability and increasing violence in Syria have prompted Pope Benedict XVI to cancel the planned visit to the war-torn nation by a delegation of cardinals and bishops.

Instead, the pope announced Wednesday, he has sent a smaller group to Lebanon to deliver a $1 million donation and boost the church's humanitarian response to the crisis.

The pope also appealed for dialogue to end the Syrian conflict, saying: "We have to do everything possible because one day it could be too late."

Benedict XVI congratulates Obama

Dennis Coday | Nov. 7, 2012

Vatican Information Service announced this morning that Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message, through the apostolic nunciature in Washington, U.S.A., to Barack Obama, congratulating him on his re-election as president of the United States of America.

'VatiLeaks' trial of Vatican computer tech begins

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Nov. 5, 2012

A Vatican computer technician charged with aiding and abetting the papal butler in stealing confidential documents went on trial amid legal arguments over the definition of the charge and questions about the "anonymous source" who reported him to officials.

As the trail began Nov. 5, the lawyer for Claudio Sciarpelletti, 48, argued Nov. 5 that his client and the papal butler, Paolo Gabriele, were acquaintances, not friends, and that Sciarpelletti had no motive to set aside "20 years of service to the Holy See" to help someone he wasn't particularly close to.

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.