Shouldering Responsibility

The pallium is an ancient liturgical vestment worn only by the pope and a very few other high-level church officials upon whom the pope bestows it as a symbol of the jurisdiction delegated to them. In honor of Saints Peter and Paul, today is the day of

The High Cost Of Love

It must have stung Peter to have Jesus call him Satan, especially since Jesus had already chosen him to be the foundation rock of His community of believers. Peter, in his bullheadedness, seems a good stand-in for

Rock-Solid Faith

Peter got a lot of things wrong in his dealings with Christ, but on the day when Jesus asked him, “Who do you say I am?” Peter got it right and proved himself an astute and faithful disciple. Jesus’ response to Peter’s confession: “You are the Rock and upon this rock I will build my church.” Jesus chose Peter — despite many instances of Peter’s flawed thinking — to

Swimming Lessons

If you’ve ever taught someone to swim, or remember what it was like for you when you learned, you’ll recall the doubt and fear — and then the realization that swimming is much easier once you let go of the fear, stop fighting the water, learn to relax and enjoy the experience. Where in your own life do fear and doubt threaten to pull you under, as happened to

Give Thanks For The Odd Couple

Peter and Paul might not have appreciated sharing a feast day. We mean to honor two giants of Christianity, without whom we might not have the church at all. But two more different men would be hard to find. Peter was

Pope Benedict XVI shocks Catholic faithful, announces resignation

Peace be with you, Papa, and bless your for your honesty by acknowledging that “…both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

May your successor be more than four times as strong as you, ten times as wise, a hundredfold more personable than John Paul II.

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Pope Benedict XVI left a meeting at the Vatican on Monday, February 11, 2013, when he announced he would resign. –
Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI announced he will resign at end of month:

“I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.”

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Pope Benedict XVI on Monday said he plans on resigning the papal office on February 28th. Below please find his announcement.
Full text of Pope’s declaration

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that