In 2009 Benedict nbsp placed his pallium over the case that holds the body of Celestine V the last pope who voluntarily resigned nbsp nbsp Benedict 39 s pallium will be placed upon the saint 39 s body on May 5th nbsp during a celebration of the 700th anniversary of his canonization nbsp Clea

nbsp Pope Benedict rsquo s resignation can be viewed as a positive development for Catholics seeking church reform Even those who disagree with many of Benedict rsquo s theological views and actions readily recognize and praise his essential goodness as a virtuous person Benedict has served Chri

America 39 s editors were interviewed widely today about the pope 39 s surprise announcement Here is Father James Martin on CNN and the Colbert Report Our editor Matt Malone S J also appeared on WNBC We will post additional video as it becomes available nbsp The Colbert ReportGet More Col

After Bishop Chaput 39 s recent scorching of the latest regulatory revision from the Department of Health and Human Services Spokane 39 s Bishop Blase Cupich has jumped in where episcopal angels may have feared to tread daring to offer some not-negative comments about the recent accomodation-exe

Pope Benedict rsquo s statement is every bit as striking as his resignation itself nbsp It deserves attention before talk turns to succession This is not simply a retirement from the hectic pace of public office nbsp It is an act of magisterial teaching in its own right that resonates with an i

nbsp This morning 39 s news that Pope Benedict XVI resigned came as a surprise but it did not shock me For Benedict has shown devotion to Celestine V the sainted pope who resigned was then murdered and defamed by Dante because his abdication mdash in the Inferno Dante called it quot the Gre