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  Curious what Pope Benedict XVI‘s immediate successor will look like? Almost certainly he will be chosen from among the 117 Cardinal-electors pictured below. A cardinal must be below the age of 80 to vote and participate in the conclave. While a person does not need to be a cardinal …

Pope Benedict XVI delivers a talk at the conclusion of a Mass for the Knights of Malta. The Vatican says the pope is considering changes to conclave rules as his papacy nears an end. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is considering making some changes to the conclave rules and rituals before he leaves office Feb. 28, the Vatican spokesman confirmed. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters Feb. 20 that any papal document is more …

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, left, celebrates mass on the feast of Our Lady of Suyapa Feb. 3 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Suyapa in Honduras. Archbishop of Cincinnati Dennis M. Schnurr, right, concelebrated.
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, 70, is a personal ambassador of the Catholic Church’s emergency relief and development aid and probably the best-known Latin American member of the College of Cardinals. In May 2011, he was elected to a …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Calling this an unusual time for him and for the church — but not specifically mentioning his resignation — Pope Benedict XVI thanked people for their affection and asked them to continue their prayers. A roar of applause rose up …

By Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON (CNS) — Here are excerpts of statements from U.S. Catholic and other religious leaders released in reaction to Pope Benedict XVI’s Feb. 11 announcement that he is resigning, effective Feb. 28: — Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles: “Pope Benedict XVI has truly been …

Pope Benedict XVI leads general audience at Vatican
By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At his first public appearance since he announced that he would resign at the end of February, Pope Benedict XVI thanked the faithful for their love and prayers and asked them to pray for his successor. “I have felt, …

Lightning illuminates sky over St. Peter's Basilica in evening at Vatican
By Francis X. Rocca Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign the papacy was a “surprise, like thunder that gives no notice that it’s coming,” said one of the cardinals who was in the room when the pope announced his decision Feb. 11. “We …

By Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Curious who will choose the next pope? Here is a list of cardinal-electors, from oldest to youngest, eligible to vote for a pope in a conclave. Cardinal Walter Kasper turns 80 March 5; depending on the date of the conclave, he might …

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation Monday before a consistory of Cardinals. His speech was read in Latin. The full text in English is provided below the video. The full text of the speech was posted on the Vatican’s website. Dear Brothers, I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only …

By Mark Pattison Catholic News Service  WASHINGTON (CNS) — It took the combined clout of an actress best known for playing an angel and her big-ratings executive-producer husband, but Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have pulled off the making of a 10-hour miniseries, “The Bible,” that gets its premiere Sunday, …