In 2022, the frail but still intellectually vigorous 95-year-old pontiff sent a personal letter, released by its recipient, to Franciscan University of Steubenville president Fr. Dave Pivonka on the occasion of an academic symposium being held there. In the letter, he reveals some of his thoughts about the “necessity” of Vatican Council II. October 7, 2022 [...]
"He could not tear himself away from the sight of the Holy Face" By Paul Badde Pope Benedict XVI contemplates the Veil of the Holy Face in Manoppello. (Photo Paul Badde/EWTN) On December 31st, an honorary German citizen of Manoppello died with these Italian words on his lips, “Signore, ti amo” (“Lord, I love [...]
Correct Marian devotion shows "the coexistence of indispensable 'reason' with the equally indispensable 'reasons of the heart'" By Robert Fastiggi, Ph.D. If we were to list the great Marian Popes, we might include pontiffs like Bl. Pius IX, who defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, or Leo XIII, who issued twelve encyclicals on the Rosary. [...]
Personal reflections from a seasoned Catholic journalist By Tom Hoopes Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is pictured with Jesuit Fr. Joseph Fessio in this 1987 photo. The then 46-year-old priest is the founder and editor-in-chief of Ignatius Press, which has published 25 books in English by Cardinal Ratzinger (CNS photo courtesy Ignatius Press/Dorothy Peterson) The image [...]
"You talk about it extensively with the loving God" In this interview with author and papal biographer Peter Seewald in the 2016 book, Last Testament: In His Own Words, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains some of the circumstances and motivations concerning his resignation. Peter Seewald: Now we come to that decision which in itself already makes [...]
The gradual rupture between Joseph Ratzinger and Swiss theologian Hans Küng mirrors the growing theological divergences in the Church after Vatican II By Pablo Blanco Sarto (omnesmag.com) The Swiss theologian Hans Küng (right) died on April 6, 2021, in Tübingen, Germany, at the age of 93 after a long illness. He was a decisive figure in [...]
He was a standard-bearer in our war with the spirit of the world By Joseph Pearce March 30, 2002 — St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope John Paul II and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger are seen together at the altar during the Easter Vigil (Photo Grzegorz Galazka) “The high tide,” King Alfred cried. “The high tide and [...]
By Federico Lombardi February 11, 2013 —The Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI attends a meeting with cardinals and announces, in Latin, that he will resign at the end of the month (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters) When on February 11, 2013, at a consistory convened to set a date for the canonization of the martyrs [...]
Benedict never did object to the new rite of the Mass itself, but rather to the way it was carried out—and to the scandal of prohibiting the older form of the Mass By Peter A. Kwasniewski June 3, 2006 — St. Peter’s Square. Pope Benedict XVI during the Vigil of Pentecost with ecclesial movements (Photo [...]
The Papal Conclave of 2005 elects the "humble laborer in the vineyard of the Lord" Coat of arms of Benedict XVI. The scallop shell is an allusion to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and is also a symbol of pilgrimage. The red-crowned head of a Moor represents Pope Benedict’s origins and is also a reference [...]
