In between the massive public events that marked his trip to Cuba this week, Pope Benedict XVI skillfully used the visit to intercede for the faithful in a variety of ways, from asking Cuban President Raul Castro to reinstate Good Friday as a holiday to pleading for the release of political prisoners.
Category Archives: Pope
Pope to Youth: Be Missionaries of Joy!
On the XXVII World Youth Day, which will be celebrated at the diocesan level this Palm Sunday throughout the Catholic world, Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging youth to be “missionaries of joy.”
Pope to Cubans: “I am a Pilgrim of Charity”
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Santiago, Cuba yesterday and declared himself to be a “pilgrim of charity” while expressing his hope that the communist island nation would move toward greater openness, freedom and religious devotion.
Emotional Welcome Greets Pope in Mexico
The moment Pope Benedict XVI’s plane was spotted in the skies over Guanajuato, Mexico on Friday, the faithful poured from their homes and lined the streets, sometimes five and six rows deep, with many crying tears of joy as church bells began to peal throughout the area in welcome.
Pope Asks for Prayer for Mexico/Cuba Trip
While addressing pilgrims yesterday from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI asked for prayers for his six day trip to Mexico and Cuba, which will begin on Friday of this week.
Pope Urges U.S. Bishops to Warn Faithful on Marriage and Sexuality Issues
While addressing U.S. bishops in their ad limina visit last week, Pope Benedict XVI urged bishops to step up their teaching about the evils of premarital sex and cohabitation, and denounced the “powerful” gay marriage lobby in America.
Pope: Artificial Procreation is a Form of Arrogance
Speaking at the end of a three-day Vatican conference on diagnosing and treating infertility, Pope Benedict XVI urged infertile couples to shun artificial procreation, calling it a form of arrogance and reiterating that the only place worthy of calling new life into the world is in marriage.
Pope Plans to Tweet Every Day in Lent
Pope Benedict XVI is intent on evangelizing the culture and has decided to Tweet every day during Lent in an effort to reach out to the faithful and encourage them during the Lenten season.
Pope’s Message for World Day of the Sick
As the Church prepares to celebrate the World Day of the Sick tomorrow, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Pope Benedict XVI issued a message reminding the faithful about the importance of the “sacraments of healing” – penance and Anointing of the Sick.
Pope’s Lenten Message: Don’t Keep Silent in the Face of Evil!
Pope Benedict XVI has issued a powerful Lenten message for the world’s Catholics in which he calls upon the faithful to remember the Christian tradition of “fraternal correction for eternal life” and not remain silent in the face of evil.