May 13 is the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three shepherd children in the small village of Fatima in Portugal in 1917. She appeared six times to Lucia, 9, and her cousins Francisco, 8, and his sister Jacinta, 6, between May 13, 1917 and October 13, 1917. …

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Mar 22, 2023 / 16:30 pm A potential legal case against Pope Benedict XVI over his handling of abuse during his time as archbishop of Munich has been dropped. The public prosecutor’s office in Munich said on Tuesday it had “discontinued its investigations” against Cardinals Joseph …

In Evelyn Waugh’s novel, A Handful of Dust, the young son of the main character (Tony Last) is tragically killed in a horse- riding accident. Immediately after the accident, the parish vicar comes to Tony’s house to console him, but after the pastor leaves, Tony explains to a friend that …

by Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Apr 16, 2022 / 01:00 am 1. Benedict XVI was born on Holy Saturday Benedict XVI was born on Holy Saturday, April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria. According to CNA’s count, this year is his fourth Holy Saturday birthday; the last time his …

In 1969, German theologian Joseph Ratzinger – later Pope Benedict XVI – gave a radio address in which he asked, “What will the Church look like in 2000?” His evaluation of the Church’s condition in 1969 is acute and thoughtful. His prediction for the Church’s future state is remarkably prescient. …

by Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jun 29, 2021 / 12:00 pm Pope Francis thanked Benedict XVI on Tuesday for his continual prayer for the Church in his retirement, calling the pope emeritus “the contemplative of the Vatican.” Speaking from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square from the Apostolic Palace on …

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome, Italy, Oct 3, 2020 / 04:00 am MT (CNA).- “I never thought he would be made pope,” said Mario Notari, speaking about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. To Notari, the quiet and gentle Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was just another patron at the little Austrian restaurant he manages …

by Courtney Mares Rome Newsroom, Jul 1, 2020 / 04:30 am MT (CNA).- Benedict XVI’s older brother Georg Ratzinger died Wednesday, just a little more than one week after the pope emeritus’ visit. Msgr. Georg Ratzinger died in Bavaria at the age of 96 on July 1. The pope emeritus …

CNA Staff, Jun 18, 2020 / 06:35 am MT (CNA).- Pope emeritus Benedict XVI is making a private visit to Germany to see his ailing brother Msgr. Georg Ratzinger. CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language partner agency, said June 18 it had confirmed with sources close to the pope emeritus that Benedict …

Question: I know of Freemasons who are also practicing Catholics. I always thought that this was forbidden, but I was told that these men had permission from their pastors to join. Is it permissible for a Catholic to become a Mason? Is this addressed in canon law? Answer: The Church …