Category Archives: POPES

Schadenfreude and Reform of the Roman Curia

Years ago in the hall of the Palazzo del Sant’Uffizio I ran into the then-Prefect Cardinal Ratzinger, who was always happy to chat and let me pick his brains. On one occasion, he quipped that he was glad that Peter … Continue reading

Posted in Benedict XVI, Brick by Brick, Francis, Lighter fare, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Document ready for close of Year of Faith

From Vatican Radio: Pope Francis: post-Synodal exhortation ready for Year of Faith’s close (full text) (Vatican Radio) The post-Synodal Exhortation on the new evangelization will be ready in time for the close of the Year of Faith. This was just … Continue reading

Posted in Benedict XVI, Francis, Reading Francis Through Benedict, Year of Faith | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

CNA: Latin American religious backtrack on Pope and gay lobby

From CNA: Latin American religious backtrack on Pope and gay lobby Lima, Peru, Jun 12, 2013 / 10:45 am (CNA).- In response to media flurry, the Latin American Confederation of Men and Women Religious (CLAR) released a statement on June … Continue reading

Posted in Francis | Tagged , | 38 Comments

“Get on with the work we ourselves have to do”!

At Vatican Insider there is a piece that concerns the conference I want to go to in Rome (click the flag).  The interview with a mover and shaker for the conference, Bishop Dominque Rey of Fréjus-Toulon is worth your time. … Continue reading

Posted in Francis, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, Year of Faith | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Pope Francis heard confessions in a parish before Mass

On several occasions Pope Francis has spoken about the importance of the Sacrament of Penance. Remember: Our Lord Himself established the Sacrament of Penance.  This is the ordinary means by which JESUS desires you to ask for forgiveness of sins. During … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Archbishop on the TLM: “you must try to get as many people as possible to walk down this path of yours”

Here is some great news. I was sent a translation of a sermon given by the new Archbishop of Ferrara-Comacchio, His Excellency Most Rev. Luigi Negri, on Pentecost at the Marian Shrine of Poggetto.  The occasion was a celebration of … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Benedict XVI, Brick by Brick, Fr. Z KUDOS, Francis, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, Reading Francis Through Benedict, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The future and our choices | Tagged , , , , | 53 Comments

Pope Francis shoots down bishops who want Summorum Pontificum overturned

Recently there was a news item about some Italian bishops griping (that’s not news) to Pope Francis (ditto) about Summorum Pontificum (as before). They think it should be extirpated (more of the same). Francis shot them down. That’s news. I … Continue reading

Posted in Benedict XVI, Brick by Brick, Francis, Just Too Cool, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Mail from priests, Our Catholic Identity, Reading Francis Through Benedict, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged , , , | 31 Comments

Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary

Yesterday the Holy Father lead a profession of Faith for all the Italian bishops as they are meeting in plenary session. He addressed them. At the end of the address, Francis pronounced a prayer to Mary which should move any … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, Just Too Cool, Our Catholic Identity, Priests and Priesthood, The Drill | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

QUAERITUR: Greek island without a Catholic church on Sunday

From a reader: we will be on a Greek island without a Catholic church on a Sunday: can we attend the Greek mass and/or receive the Sacrament? You can, and I think should, attend the Greek Divine Liturgy if attending a … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments

Pope Francis on the possibility of salvation for atheists

People are sending me notes about Pope Francis’ fervorino from Mass yesterday.  News outlets (and panicky emails I am getting) are suggesting that the Pope said that atheists go to heaven.  HERE Alas, we never get what the Pope actually said in … Continue reading

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Francis, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged , , | 72 Comments