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Stories from Zenit

Pope Mourns Portuguese Flood Victims
Submitted by voxbikol on Mon, 01/03/2010 - 03:23
Zenit
Monday, March 1st, 2010

VATICAN, Feb. 23, 2010-- Benedict XVI is expressing his concern and promising prayers after heavy rains last Saturday caused flash floods on the autonomous Portuguese island of Madeira.

In a papal telegram to Bishop António José Cavaco Carrilho of Funchal, sent through the Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, he offered his condolences to the families of the dozens who died. The death toll was at 42 today, but search teams were still working to find 13 missing.

Good Priests have to Hit the Books, Says Pope
Submitted by voxbikol on Mon, 08/02/2010 - 22:27
Zenit
Monday, February 8th, 2010

VATICAN, Feb. 3, 2010-- Those who minister the Word of God must be well prepared, and the "cultural dimension" of faith needs to be cultivated, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope affirmed this today when he reflected on the life and teaching of St. Dominic Guzmán during the general audience in Paul VI Hall. He noted "the great contribution made by St. Dominic to the renewal of the Church in the Middle Ages."

The Holy Father emphasized the saint's insistence on being well educated and prepared for the apostolate.

Pope Urges Terrorists to Abandon Violence
Submitted by voxbikol on Tue, 05/01/2010 - 19:31
Zenit
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

VATICAN, Jan. 1, 2010-- Benedict XVI is urging those involved in violence of any kind to stop and reflect and thus embark on a path of peace.

The Pope made this exhortation today before praying the first midday Angelus of the year with those gathered in St. Peter's Square. The Holy Father acknowledged that for those involved in violent groups, a change of life might seem impossible. But, he assured, God can make it happen.

Pope: Human Life Is a Gift, Not a Product
Submitted by voxbikol on Sat, 21/11/2009 - 11:41
Zenit
Saturday, November 21st, 2009

VATICAN CITY, Nov. 15, 2009--Benedict XVI is urging bishops to educate Christian consciences so that people can appreciate human life as a gift of God and not just a commercial product.

The Pope stated this Saturday in an audience with the bishops of Southern Brazil who were visiting Rome for their five-yearly visit.

"Your people harbor in their hearts great religious sentiments and noble traditions, rooted in Christianity, which are expressed in heartfelt and genuine religious and civil manifestations," he acknowledged.

New Vatican Appointments Bared
Submitted by voxbikol on Tue, 27/10/2009 - 13:01
Zenit
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

VATICAN, Oct. 22, 2009-- Benedict XVI appointed the vice president of the Pontifical Academy For Life, Monsignor Jean Laffitte, as secretary of the Pontifical Council of the Family, and named him a bishop.

Born in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France, Bishop-designate Laffite, 57, entered the French Pontifical Seminary of Rome in 1984.

He was ordained priest in 1989 for the Diocese of Autun.

Religion Must Promote Forgiveness, Says Pope
Submitted by voxbikol on Sun, 13/09/2009 - 02:07
Zenit
Sunday, September 13th, 2009

VITERBO, Italy, Sept. 6, 2009-- Benedict XVI is expressing the hope that by commemorating the anniversary of World War II, there will be a renewed effort to build a culture of peace for future generations.

The Pope stated this today before praying the midday Angelus with the pilgrims gathered in the Faul Valley of Viterbo, where he is making a pastoral visit.

He greeted participants of an international congress taking place in Krakow, Poland, on the theme "Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue."

Cardinal: It's time to reach out to ex-priests
Submitted by voxbikol on Sat, 05/09/2009 - 01:26
Zenit
Saturday, September 5th, 2009

VATICAN, August 31, 2009-- The Year for Priests is also for those men who have left priestly ministry, according to Benedict XVI's secretary of state.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone made this observation Friday in L'Osservatore Romano, in an interview that also explains how the Year for Priests became a reality.

"I remember that after the synod of bishops on the Word of God, at the Pope's table there was talk of a proposal that had already come up in the past, of convoking a year of prayer, which was very linked to the reflection on the Word of God," the cardinal recounted.

Scientist: Pope Was Right About AIDS
Submitted by voxbikol on Sat, 29/08/2009 - 23:55
Zenit
Saturday, August 29th, 2009

RIMINI, Italy, August 27, 2009-- The director of Harvard's AIDS Prevention Research Project is affirming that Benedict XVI's position was right in the debate on AIDS and condoms.

Edward Green stated this in an address at the 30th annual Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples in Rimini, sponsored by the lay movement, Communion and Liberation.

Green, an expert on AIDS prevention, said that "as a scientist he was amazed to see the closeness between what the Pope said last March in Cameroon and the results of the most recent scientific discoveries."

Benedict XVI: Religion No Threat to Nation's Unity
Submitted by voxbikol on Fri, 03/07/2009 - 19:56
Zenit
Friday, July 3rd, 2009

VATICAN, June 28, 2009-- Benedict XVI affirmed to the bishops of Vietnam that religion is not a threat to national unity, and that Church-state relations can be carried out in a spirit of cooperation.

The Pope made these points Saturday upon receiving in audience members of Vietnam's episcopal conference, who were in Rome for their five-yearly visit.

"A healthy cooperation between the Church and the political community is possible," the Holy Father said. He also noted that "religions do not represent a threat to the unity of the nation."

Pope Benedict XVI’s Sermon at Mass of Lord’s Supper
Submitted by voxbikol on Tue, 14/04/2009 - 01:02
Zenit
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 9, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Below is the translation of the homily Benedict XVI delivered today at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which he presided at today at the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

* * *

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Benedict XVI Remembers John Paul II
Submitted by voxbikol on Mon, 06/04/2009 - 01:56
Zenit
Monday, April 6th, 2009

Here is a translati on of the homily Benedict XVI delivered April 2 at the Mass to mark the fourth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death, held in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Pope Tells Youth: Church Counts on You
Submitted by voxbikol on Sun, 01/03/2009 - 13:00
Zenit
Monday, March 2nd, 2009

VATICAN--Benedict XVI is encouraging young people to pray and live the sacraments, so as to be witnesses of hope and joy in a world that counts on them.

The Pope affirmed this in a message published today for the 24th World Youth Day, which will take place April 5, Palm Sunday, on a diocesan level. The event theme is: “We Have Set Our Hope on the Living God.”