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 …

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, …

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, …

  USCCB Release WASHINGTON — The Feb. 1 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services related to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) shows some movement by the Administration but falls short of addressing U.S. bishops’ concerns. “Throughout the past year, we have …

Young people watch a concert sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture in Rome Feb. 7. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — When the head of the Pontifical Council for Culture said he wanted to listen to what today’s young people had to …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  ROME (CNS) — The Catholic Church’s efforts to prevent clerical sexual abuse and protect children around the world will be “a long-term effort,” said Father Robert W. Oliver, a Boston priest who began work Feb. 1 as the promoter of justice in the Congregation for the Doctrine …