Zenit

YERBA BUENA, Argentina, June 14, 2010--Archdiocesan officials are calling for prudence regarding an image of the Last Supper that some claim shows Christ's forehead seeping blood that runs down his left cheek.

The Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Yerba Buena -- where the image is kept -- was so overwhelmed by the faithful last Sunday that Father Jorge Gandur and Father Luis Brandán concelebrated Mass outside.

But the Archdiocese of Tucuman appealed for prudence and caution, until scientific evaluations shed light on the occurrence.

ROME, May 27, 2010-- Bishops of southern African nations are trying to bring global attention to the problem of human trafficking in their region.

The prelates, collaborating with the group Planet Waves, organized a meeting last week on the phenomenon, which affects an unknown number of people. Four episcopal conferences were represented at the meeting: Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

It's estimated 300 people a week enter South Africa illegally from Mozambique alone.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ROME, July 7, 2009-- Benedict XVI offers a timely, new take on economics, politics and society in his encyclical "Caritas in Veritate" (Charity in Truth), according to the secretary-general of Caritas Internationalis.

Lesley-Anne Knight said in a press statement that the encyclical, which reflects on Pope Paul VI's encyclical "Populorum Progressio" (The Development of Peoples), "highlights how a blind pursuit of profits over ethics had become detrimental to people and the planet."

VATICAN, June 24, 2009-- The Vatican confirmed today Benedict XVI will receive in audience U.S. President Barack Obama next month.

The meeting, set for the afternoon of July 10, will be the first between the Pontiff and the new president.

Obama's Vatican visit will take place within the context of his participation in the Group of Eight summit, which will be held July 8-10 in L'Aquila, Italy.

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!