The Conclave and the Papal Election: Rollup of All News and Commentary
By Dr. Jeff Mirus ( bio - articles - email ) | Feb 12, 2013
Here is a list of all of our news and commentary on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of his successor, in reverse chronological order. Items marked “Catholic World News” are news stories; items marked with a personal name are commentaries by that person.
Free eBook:
![]() |
Free eBook: Liturgical Year 2024-2025, Vol. 1 |
March 13, 2013
- Argentine Cardinal Bergoglio elected Pope Francis (Catholic World News)
- Pope Emeritus Benedict will not attend successor's installation (Catholic World News)
- Three errors to avoid in media coverage of the conclave (Phil Lawler)
March 12, 2013:
- Perceptive commentary: Guenois, Lott, Thavis (Phil Lawler)
- This whole process is ridiculous (Phil Lawler)
- Conclave has begun (Catholic World News)
- Maltese bishop: Pope Benedict resigned to ease successor's path to reform in Vatican (Catholic World News)
- Final preparations for conclave completed (Catholic World News)
- Papabili produce heavy traffic on social media (Catholic World News)
March 11, 2013:
- 'Generation Benedict' honors Pope Emeritus (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal-electors assigned to rooms in residence for conclave (Catholic World News)
- 'Vatileaks' journalist refused credentials for conclave (Catholic World News)
- 90 aides, support staff for conclave, sworn to secrecy (Catholic World News)
- Conclave: biblical scholar to preach meditation to cardinals before voting begins (Catholic World News)
- Vatican bank discussed as cardinals conclude pre-conclave meetings (Catholic World News)
March 8, 2013:
- Conclave begins next Tuesday (Catholic World News)
- Cardinals in congregation completing preparations for conclave (Catholic World News)
- Temporary flooring, electronic jammers installed in Sistine Chapel for conclave (Catholic World News)
- Papal apartment will not be ready for new pontiff (Catholic World News)
- Vatican cardinals cancel press conference (Chris Pelicano)
March 7, 2013:
- Perceptive commentary: Magister, Royal (Phil Lawler)
- The Role of the Press? (Chris Pelicano)
- Italian priest calls for gay pope (Catholic World News)
- Rome's mayor predicts enthronement of new pope on March 17 (Catholic World News)
- SNAP makes 'endorsements' for 3 papal candidates (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal continue talks, leaks unabated; no date for conclave (Catholic World News)
- The key issue for the coming conclave is transparency (Phil Lawler)
March 6, 2013:
- Is this an endorsement or a condemnation? (Phil Lawler)
- Cardinals close off interviews as confidential talks continue (Catholic World News)
- Czech cardinal sees Catholic exodus, not 'Vatileaks', as top priority (Catholic World News)
- Cardinals ask all Catholics to join in prayer for conclave (Catholic World News)
March 5, 2013:
- Perceptive commentary: Douthat, Peters, Warren, Guenois (Phil Lawler)
- Covering the Conclave, and Enjoying It (Jeff Mirus)
- Popular misconceptions IV (Phil Lawler)
- Sistine Chapel closed as preparations begin for conclave (Catholic World News)
- US Cardinal expects briefing on secret 'Vatileaks' report (Catholic World News)
- Cardinals balk at setting date for conclave (Catholic World News)
- Cardinals' telegram offers thanks to Benedict XVI (Catholic World News)
- Nigerian cardinal downplays Curial intrigues, cardinals' rhetoric (Catholic World News)
- Vatican briefs press on urns used for ballots in papal conclave (Catholic World News)
March 4, 2013:
- Cardinals meet; no date yet set for conclave (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Ouellet says that possibility of papacy 'makes me pray' (Catholic World News)
- Bogus 'bishop' tries to gain access to cardinals' meeting (Catholic World News)
- Honduran cardinal: Church must be transparent, evangelization comes first (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Mahony defends response to abuse, says nuncio asked him to take part in conclave (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Sandri calls for greater role of women in Church, priestly formation (Catholic World News)
- Russian Orthodox patriarch pays tribute to Pope Benedict (Catholic World News)
- Vatican spokesman emphasizes: Pope has not abandoned Church (Catholic World News)
- Vatican press office explains history, duties of camerlengo (Catholic World News)
March 1, 2013:
- Interregnum: The Church Then, Now and Tomorrow (Jeff Mirus)
- Cardinals to meet Monday, set date for conclave (Catholic World News)
- Posters in Rome tout Cardinal Turkson's papal candidacy (Catholic World News)
- Pope-emeritus Benedict reported quiet, serene after resignation (Catholic World News)
February 28, 2013:
- Pope Benedict's resignation is official (Catholic World News)
- Pope Benedict pledges support for his successor (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Dolan describes an ideal papal candidate (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Pell: Vatican governance needs new pope's attention (Catholic World News)
- Vatican post office commemorates papal resignation with special stamp (Catholic World News)
- Prayer intentions of Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI for March 2012 (Catholic World News)
February 27, 2013:
- Cardinal Wuerl says conclave should not choose an American (Catholic World News)
- How many bishops has Pope Benedict persuaded to resign (Phil Lawler)
- Pope Benedict bids an emotional farewell at final weekly audience (Catholic World News)
- ICEL director pays tribute to Pope Benedict's impact on the liturgy (Catholic World News)
February 26, 2013:
- A new title for Benedict XVI, and other details (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Bertone asks contemplative religious to pray for conclave (Catholic World News)
- Ecumenical Patriarch pays tribute to Pope Benedict (Catholic World News)
February 25, 2013:
- Benedict's Resignation: The Prisoner in the Vatican Thesis (Jeff Mirus)
- 'Unflappable' Cardinal Mahony not swayed by protests, plans to join conclave (Catholic World News)
- 'Vatileaks' report will remain secret (Catholic World News)
- Italy's President Napolitano bids Pope farewell (Catholic World News)
- Scottish cardinal resigns after misconduct charges (Catholic World News)
- Pope changes rules for papal election, allows for earlier conclave (Catholic World News)
- Vatican decries efforts to influence conclave, ‘profoundly unjust’ media coverage (Catholic World News)
- Huge crowd for Pope Benedict's final Angelus audience (Catholic World News)
February 22, 2013:
- Perceptive commentary: Zuhlsdorf, Weigel, Quinn, Paprocki (Phil Lawler)
- Homosexual network at the Vatican, Yes; reason for the Pope's resignation, No (Phil Lawler)
- Vatican spokesman briefs reports on papal interregnum (Catholic World News)
- Roman Lutheran leader pays tribute to Pope (Catholic World News)
February 21, 2013:
- Italian paper says cardinals discovered homosexual network within Vatican (Catholic World News)
- Ailing Indonesian cardinal will not attend conclave (Catholic World Nws)
- Pope's schedule for final week before resignation (Catholic World News)
- Papal spokesman comments on date for conclave, talks with SSPX (Catholic World News)
- Father Rosica, Canadian TV priest, joins Vatican press office for conclave coverage (Catholic World News)
- Leading Canadian prelate: in resignation, Pope still teaching us (Catholic World News)
February 20, 2013:
- Pope to change rules, allow early conclave? (Catholic World News)
- Another grim report on the Pope's medical condition (Catholic World News)
February 19, 2013:
- Pope qualifies for pension after retirement (Catholic World News)
- Popular misconceptions, II (Phil Lawler)
- Netanyahu pays tribute to Pope (Catholic World News)
- South African prelate urges Pope to keep writing (Catholic World News)
February 18, 2013:
- Perceptive commentary: Warren, Douthat, Henneberger, Horowitz, Oko (Phil Lawler)
- Cardinal Dolan scoffs at idea he may be 1st American Pope (Catholic World News)
- Preacher for Lenten Retreat rated high among papabili (Catholic World News)
- German journalist says Pope's health deteriorating quickly (Catholic World News)
- Italian prime minister visits Pope to express thanks (Catholic World News)
- Huge crowd for Pope's Sunday audience (Catholic World News)
- Experts praise Pope Benedict's handling of sex-abuse reforms (Catholic World News)
February 14, 2013:
- The real story behind the Pope's resignation (Phil Lawler)
- Perceptive commentary: On the resignation—Bernardo Cervellera, John O'Sullivan, Michael Kelly (Phil Lawler)
- Popular misconceptions: Benedict's resignation and choice of successor (Phil Lawler)
- More details on papal resignation, conclave (Catholic World News)
- USCCB recommends special diocesan Masses in wake of Pope’s resignation (Catholic World News)
- Spanish cardinal reflects on Pope's resignation announcement (Catholic World News)
February 13, 2013:
- The first misstep among thepapabile (Phil Lawler)
- Details emerging for Pope's resignation, election of successor (Catholic World News)
- Pope thanks the faithful for prayers, ask that they continue (Catholic World News)
- Pope's brother says Pontiff pondered resignation for several months (Catholic World News)
February 12, 2013:
- Pope Benedict's encyclical on faith will not be completed (Catholic World News)
- Pope has a pacemaker—implanted long ago, not a factor in resignation (Catholic World News)
- Cardinal Dolan pays tribute to Pope’s ‘tender heart,’ ‘incisive mind’ (Catholic World News)
- President Obama issues statement on Pope’s resignation (Catholic World News)
February 11, 2013
- Junk Reporting on Electing a Pope (Peter Mirus)
- Don’t blame Benedict XVI for the sex-abuse scandal (Phil Lawler)
- Pope to retire to monastery after resignation (Catholic World News)
- Who will be the next Pope? Advice for oddsmakers (Phil Lawler)
- Benedict: Far from the First Pope to Resign (Jeff Mirus)
- What do you call an ex-Pope? (Phil Lawler)
- Pope Benedict announces resignation (Catholic World News)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!