Most Popular News Within Last 30 Days
Obelisk missing from St. Peter’s Square
The ancient Egyptian obelisk that has stood in the center of St. Peter’s Square for centuries was missing on Easter Monday, with Vatican officials and Roman police unable to explain its...
Pope Francis sees Cardinal Sarah as ‘bitter,’ rips Archbishop Gänswein
In a new book-length interview due for publication this week, Pope Francis described Cardinal Robert Sarah as a “good man” who was “immediately manipulated by separatist groups” after he became prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship in 2014.“At times I have the impression that working in the Roman Curia made him a little bitter,” the Pontiff said.
In newly published excerpts from the book, The Successor, Pope Francis also claims that Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI “always defended me” against conservative critics. In particular he says that the former Pontiff backed him in his support for civil unions for same-sex couples. “How he defended me!” Pope Francis insisted.
An AP account of the new book excerpts accurately reports that the Pope “settles some scores” with Archbishop Georg Gänswein, saying that the German prelate “did some very difficult things to me.” He argues that Archbishop Gänswein’s book, relating conflicts between Francis and Benedict, included “things that are not true.” He said that the book showed “a lack of nobility and humanity.” While most of the new book excerpts released on April 2 consisted of Pope Francis defending himself, the Pontiff does offer one solid bit of news, saying that he has no intention of altering the rules for a papal conclave.
Vatican document condemns assaults on human dignity [News analysis]
The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) has released a 20-page document, Dignitas Infinita (Infinite Dignity), denouncing contemporary attacks on human dignity. The...Leading Italian bishop, Vatican newspaper pay tribute to ‘Via Crucis of a Gay Boy’
The Vatican newspaper has published Bishop Francesco Savino’s preface to Via Crucis di un ragazzo gay [Via Crucis of a Gay Boy], a new book by Luigi Testa, an Italian law...Pope encourages inter-religious dialogue
Pope Francis met on April 4 in an audience with participants in an initial meeting between the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.In his remarks the Pope recalled his participation in the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, which took place in Astana, Kazakhstan. He said that religious leaders “need to support each other in fostering harmony between religions, ethnic groups, and cultures.” He added that this harmony should be built upon “respect for diversity, commitment to our ‘common home,’ and the promotion of peace.”
Argentine archbishop—key figure in Zanchetta affair—convicted of gender violence against nuns
Archbishop Mario Cargnello of Salta, a city in northern Argentina, has been convicted of gender violence against Discalced Carmelite nuns, the Salta-based El Tribuno has reported. The nuns had...Trump administration official arranged biweekly Masses in White House compound
Mick Mulvaney, former director of the Office of Management and Budget (2017-20), writes that “just before Lent [2018], I asked White House chief of staff John Kelly to relay to the president what I later learned was an unprecedented request: a Catholic Mass in the Old Executive Office Building on Ash Wednesday.”“The result was stunning,” he continued. “More than 100 people showed up to the first Mass in history in the White House compound ... The Mass was so successful that it continued roughly every other week until it was shut down for Covid in March 2020.”
Mulvaney adds that “when Mr. Biden took office, I encouraged members of his transition team to resume the services.” The Masses haven’t resumed.
+Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, 94
Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, who served as auxiliary bishop of Detroit from 1968 until his retirement in 2006, died on April 4 at the age of 94.The outspoken prelate, who was known for his opposition to the Vietnam War and advocacy for peace, also dissented from Catholic teaching on homosexuality and women’s ordination.
SSPX priest admits to abuse charges in France
A prominent priest of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has acknowledged sexual misconduct with boys under his care, as he face criminal charges in a French court.“I ask for forgiveness from the victims and deeply regret everything I have done,” said Father Arnaud Rostand. The reported abuse took place during SSPX activities in France, Spain, and Switzerland.
Father Rostand has also served as the SSPX district superior in the US from 2008 to 2014.
Cardinal Scola urged ‘vote for Bergoglio’ during 2013 conclave, Pope Francis says
In a new book-length interview, Pope Francis said that Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan, viewed as a leading contender in the 2013 conclave, asked other cardinals to “vote for Bergoglio.”The Pontiff also said that European cardinals “badgered” him with questions about liberation theology during the conclave in which he was elected Pope.
In the book, El Sucesor, the Pontiff claimed he was “used” in a bid to stop the election of Pope Benedict in the 2005 conclave. He also criticized Archbishop Georg Gänswein (Pope Benedict’s personal secretary) and described Cardinal Robert Sarah, the former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, as a “good man” who was “manipulated” and became “bitter.”
