papal transition
Pope Benedict XVI leaves office, promises ‘obedience’ to successor
By Alessandro Speciale — February 28, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The papacy of Benedict XVI came to a quiet end at 8 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 28), making him the first pope in 600 years to voluntarily leave office.
A new pope, a new name: Here’s some popular picks to choose from
By Caleb K. Bell — February 28, 2013
One of the first acts of the new pope will be to chose a new name. Here's a list of the most popular (and most unique) papal names to help him get started.
Pope Benedict pledges obedience to his successor
By Alessandro Speciale — February 28, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI promised “unconditional” obedience to his successor during a farewell meeting with cardinals on Thursday.
ANALYSIS: Vatican intrigue is age-old part of papal politics
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — February 27, 2013
(RNS) The Vatican appears rocked by scandal and resignations just as church leaders must gear up to replace frail Pope Benedict XVI. But Vatican experts say papal transitions always generate intrigue.
READ: Text of Pope Benedict XVI’s final blessing
By Kevin Eckstrom — February 27, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI addressed an estimated 150,000 people on Wednesday in St. Peter's Square for his final general audience as pope. Here's his remarks in English.
Pope Benedict defends choice to resign in last public address
By Alessandro Speciale — February 27, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his final public address, Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday forcefully defended his decision to resign from the papacy while trying to reassure Catholics still reeling from the shock of his unprecedented move.
What Pope Benedict XVI shares with his notorious namesake
By Daniel Burke — February 26, 2013
(RNS) The last Pope Benedict to resign, Benedict IX, was an infamous rake who sold the papacy. But like his 21st-century namesake, Benedict IX forces Catholics to mind the gap between the mortal man and the sacred papal office.
Benedict will be ‘Pope Emeritus’ after resignation
By Alessandro Speciale — February 26, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “Pope Emeritus” after his retirement on Thursday, and will continue to wear the traditional white papal vestments.
Make your picks in the Vatican’s Sweet Sistine brackets!
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
More than 100 Roman Catholic cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel in March. One will emerge as pope. Who will it be? The "Sweet Sistine" is our guess at the top candidates from each continent. First-round voting closes at midnight Eastern on Friday.
Venting and vetting: The brutal side of papal politics
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
(RNS) If far less expensive and not quite as mind-numbing as a U.S. presidential campaign, the condensed version of papal campaign politics is not much gentler, or necessarily more effective. Instead it can be nasty, brutish and short.
Pope allows cardinals to move up start of papal election
By Alessandro Speciale — February 25, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With three days left before his resignation on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday (Feb. 25) allowed cardinals to move up the start of the conclave that will elect his successor.
For aging religious leaders, is it still ’till death us do part’?
By Adelle M. Banks — February 25, 2013
(RNS) When aging religious leaders reach the top echelons of temporal and spiritual power, their followers have a certain expectation: Till death us do part. But Pope Benedict XVI’s surprise resignation has shifted that calculus, prompting introspection about when, if and how to let go of religion's senior management.
Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigns after sex accusations
By David Gibson — February 25, 2013
(RNS) Cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland resigned on Monday in the wake of explosive charges that he had made "inappropriate" sexual advances to three priests and a former seminarian, and said he would skip next month's conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
A cultural omnivore, and maybe the next pope
By Alessandro Speciale — February 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi is known for his wide interests, and seemingly Internet-like omniscience. And some Catholics say he could just be the next pope.
ANALYSIS: White smoke, black pope? The odds against an ‘Obama moment’
By David Gibson — February 21, 2013
(RNS) Will the conclave electing a successor to Pope Benedict XVI next month have an "Obama moment'' and pick a pope from outside Europe for the first time in modern history? Several factors are working against it.
