Pope Benedict XVI Archives - Catholic Herald

Pope Benedict XVI

East Timor cardinal praises papal visit to help cement peaceful independence from world’s largest Muslim nation

April 22, 2024

East Timor’s cardinal has said Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to the country, scheduled for later this year, is not only a moment of joy for local Catholics, but also represents an opportunity to spread a message of peace and reconciliation throughout the country after its independence from Indonesia. Speaking to Crux, Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da

Vatican condemns ‘gender theory’ in new doctrinal document

April 08, 2024

The Vatican has condemned gender ideology in a document published 8 April. The new Declaration Dignitas Infinita on Human Dignity from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), offers a clear definition of human dignity as the Church sees it and stresses the need to uphold it from conception to natural death.

Pope Francis tries to set record straight on tensions with Benedict XVI and Cardinal Sarah in new book

April 03, 2024

ROME – Pope Francis has opened up and made further revelations in a new book released today, discussing the relationships and interpersonal dynamics between himself and other key Vatican figures such as Pope Benedict XVI, the former pope’s personal secretary and the influential conservative prelate Cardinal Robert Sarah. Speaking to Spanish Journalist Javier Martinez-Brocal with ABC Español,

Pope Francis reveals he was used in ‘manoeuvre’ during 2005 conclave to prevent Benedict’s election

April 02, 2024

ROME – Pope Francis has said that he was used in an “manoeuvre” to block the election of the future Benedict XVI during the 2005 conclave, but that he resisted the move and voted for Benedict himself. The revelation comes in a new book about Pope Francis’ relationship with his predecessor, “It was a complete

Loss of traditional-rite Triduum in Westminster as Cardinal Nichols says ‘No’

March 27, 2024

This year the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has refused permission for the celebration of the services of the pre-Vatican II Easter Triduum in his diocese. These services have taken place in the Archdiocese of Westminster since the 1990s, and have attracted up to 200 people, including many of those served by the various

Cardinal Fernández prepares document on gender ideology

January 17, 2024

The Vatican is preparing a document on the ideology of gender, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has said. Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández made the revelation in an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE. “We are preparing a very important document on human dignity that not only includes social

Pope Benedict XVI’s top aide speaks candidly about the historic resignation

January 11, 2024

ROME – Pope Benedict XVI’s long-time private secretary, German Archbishop Georg Gänswein, spent the Feast of the Epiphany at a small parish in northern Italy, telling parishioners that Benedict was a man of prayer and debunking conspiracies behind his historic resignation. Speaking to churchgoers at Sacred Heart Parish in Carnovali, Bergamo, on the 6 January

Vatican appears to endorse couples in ‘irregular situations’ receiving blessings that do not ‘validate their status’

December 18, 2023

A new declaration from the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith appears to attempt to square the controversial issue of approving blessings for same-sex couples without undermining the Church’s traditional teaching on the sanctity of marriage. The Declaration Fiducia supplicans issued by the Dicastery on 18 December, approved by Pope Francis, means “it will be