Cardinal Sandri on those who doubt church: ‘We must prove them wrong’
Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, 69, may have very little direct pastoral experience, but remarks he made to a group of U.S. bishops last year seem to show he knows the church has an image problem, and it's up to the church to fix it.
Conclaves: Vatican Library official shares interesting, strange facts
Ambrogio Piazzoni, vice prefect of the Vatican Library and author of the book, "History of Papal Elections," shared facts and curiosities with journalists at the Vatican Feb. 20.
Cardinal Sarah known as defender of rights, promoter of charity
Cardinal Robert Sarah, 67, has both the pastoral experience and the Roman Curia experience that many observers believe is necessary for a future pope.
Between popes: Vatican business continues as usual — almost
When Pope Benedict XVI officially leaves office at 8 p.m. Feb. 28, most of the top-level Vatican officials lose their jobs, but that does not mean the majority of Vatican employees get a vacation.
Milan cardinal’s theological expertise is focused on culture, family
Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milan is a tweeting, intellectual archbishop deeply concerned about the negative impact modern culture is having on the faith lives of Christians.
Archbishop backs end to death penalty, says it offers ‘tragic illusion’
The Catholic Church's objection to the death penalty comes from its consistent teaching that life must be protected from conception to natural death, said Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori.
What the Church needs now: Synod gives clues to cardinals’ priorities
One task facing the College of Cardinals already has been completed: A job description for the Catholic Church's chief evangelizer already is written.
Age matters: Popes elected as young as 24, as old as 81
When Pope Benedict XVI, 85, announced his resignation, he said that "both strength of mind and body are necessary" to carry out the papal ministry in the modern world.
Pope Benedict changes rituals for new pope’s inauguration
Pope Benedict XVI has ordered several changes to the Masses and liturgies that will mark the inauguration of the next pope's pontificate.
Canonist explains ‘rigid, highly formal’ rules for electing pope
The voting by cardinals to elect the next pope takes place behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, following a highly detailed procedure that underwent major revisions by Blessed John Paul II and a small, but very significant change, by Pope Benedict XVI.