Gospel Commentary for 2nd Sunday of Easter

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The first of the two appearances of Christ described in today's Gospel occurs Easter evening, "the first day after the Sabbath," and the second appearance, the one in which the episode with Thomas takes place, occurs "eight days later," that is, again on the first day after the Sabbath.

Vatican Aide Responds to Muslim Professor

"We Do Not Think the Church Merits the Accusation of Lack of Respect"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a Vatican Radio translation of a May 27 response from Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, to a note from Professor Aref Ali Nayed.

Evangelizing Youth in a Secularized World

ROME, MARCH 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- With the July date for World Youth Day approaching, the event brings to the fore again the question of how best the Church can convey the Gospel message to young men and women.

"Christ's Resurrection Gives Us the Certainty of Our Own Resurrection"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the greeting Benedict XVI gave last Wednesday during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pew Forum finds clear demographic changes in American Catholicism

In a profile of America's Catholic population, released in advance of Pope Benedict's visit to the US, the Pew Forum calls attention to a demographic shift, with younger Catholics less ..

Cautious Vatican response to Muslim critics on conversion

Responding to concerns raised by a prominent Muslim scholar, the Vatican has distanced itself from the criticism of Islam expressed by Magdi Allam-- the reporter who was baptized by Pope ..

Vatican daily says Holy See has not “emphasized” baptism of Muslim convert

VATICAN CITY, March 26 (CNA) - The official Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has rejected claims in some media reports that the Holy See has “emphasized” the baptism of Magdi Allam, the Muslim convert and associate director of the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera who entered the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

Vatican daily says Holy See has not “emphasized” baptism of Muslim convert

VATICAN CITY, March 26 (CNA) - The official Vatican daily, L’Osservatore Romano, has rejected claims in some media reports that the Holy See has “emphasized” the baptism of Magdi Allam, the Muslim convert and associate director of the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera who entered the Church during the Easter Vigil Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

Catholic vote could make or break McCain, says Reagan Catholic liaison

WASHINGTON DC, March 27 (CNA) - Supporters of all major party candidates for the United States presidency are angling to discover how to best appeal to Catholic voters, who could be a key swing vote in the November presidential election. According to Robert Reilly, a successful McCain campaign must win over Catholics to win the White House. 

Benedict XVI to celebrate Mass on third anniversary of death of John Paul II

VATICAN CITY, March 25 (CNA) - The Vatican’s Office of Liturgical Celebrations has announced that Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate a Mass in remembrance of Servant of God Pope John Paul II on April 2, the third anniversary of his death.

Survey reveals Americans have positive opinion of Pope Benedict

NEW HAVEN, March 26 (CNA) - On Tuesday the Knights of Columbus published the results of a survey they commissioned on American’s opinions about the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI and their hopes for the papal visit to the United States in April.

Jesus’ resurrection is “certain proof” of his teachings, says Pope

VATICAN CITY, March 26 (CNA) - Over 30,000 people swelled St. Peter’s Square today to take part in the weekly general audience with Pope Benedict, who arrived by helicopter from his Castelgandolfo residence. The Holy Father’s dedicated his discourse to the period of Easter, and more specifically, to the fact that Jesus’ resurrection is “'certain proof' ... that what He says is true".

President Bush pens Easter message

WASHINGTON DC, March 24 (CNA) - As Christians around the United States celebrate Easter, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush have issued the following Easter message:

Intercession of Virgin Mary prevented war in South America, newspaper reveals

BOGOTA, March 24 (CNA) - The Colombian daily “El Tiempo” revealed on Holy Saturday that a crisis that could have ended in an open conflict between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela was averted by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe confiding the situation to the intercession of Mary under the three different titles by which she is the country’s patroness. 

Anti-war protesters disrupt Easter Mass at Chicago cathedral

CHICAGO, March 24 (CNA) - Six people protesting the war in Iraq were arrested after they disrupted an Easter Mass at Chicago’s cathedral and threw fake blood at parishioners, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Knight of Columbus head writes guide for changing culture

CNA STAFF, March 25 (CNA) - A new book by the head of the Knights of Columbus explores the themes the Pope is likely to address in his April visit to the United States and provides a practical guide for Catholics to change the culture for the good.

High-profile Muslim baptized by Pope asks Muslim converts to "come out"

ROME, March 24 (CNA) - A day after he was received into the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI during the Easter vigil, Magdi Allam, a widely known Italian Muslim, wrote a letter to his own paper on Easter Sunday in which he issued a twofold call: first to he encouraged other Muslims who have converted to Catholicism to come out publicly and secondly he called on the Church to be “less prudent” about converting Muslims.

Vatican's Triduum celebrations Chinese themed

VATICAN CITY, March 24 (CNA) - The situation of China’s Roman Catholics was at the heart of the celebrations for the Holy Triduum at the Vatican, with a group of Chinese people being present and decorations appearing at different moments during the Church’s three holiest days.

Pope urges all people to be open to redeeming power of the resurrected Jesus

VATICAN CITY, March 23 (CNA) - Speaking this Sunday at noon, as pilgrims in St Peter's Square braved a steady rain, Pope Benedict XVI delivered his Easter message calling on those "whose spirit is sincerely open to the truth" to open their hearts to the omnipotence of Christ's redeeming love.

Alexy II Sends Easter Greetings to Pontiff

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 23, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia sent Easter greetings to Benedict XVI, which highlighted the optimism and joy implicit in the message of Christianity.

Pope's Message for Easter

"The Resurrection of Jesus Is Essentially an Event of Love"

Benedict XVI's Easter Vigil Homily

"We Are Not Called to Darkness, But to Light"

Latin Patriarch's Easter Sunday Homily

"Security Cannot Be Achieved by Inflicting Insecurity on Others"

China spurns Pope's call for peace in Tibet

Rome, Mar. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A Chinese government spokesman has flatly rejected the call by Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) for a peaceful resolution of the crisis in Tibet, saying that there can be "no tolerance for criminals."

Mexican experts hope Supreme Court will rule against abortion

MEXICO CITY, March 17 (CNA) - Two experts in law and philosophy consulted by the Mexican daily La Joranda expressed their confidence that the country’s Supreme Court would rule against the legalization of abortion in the Mexican capital.

Bishop calls on Venezuelans to spiritual journey with Christ during Holy Week

CARACAS, March 17 (CNA) - Bishop Mario Moronta of San Cristobal in Venezuela has invited the faithful to journey with Christ in the last moments of his earthly journey and to not be afraid to give witness to their faith.

Nuns praying to clear skies for Pope’s visit

SYDNEY, March 18 (CNA) - Bishop Anthony Fisher, the coordinator for World Youth Day, has recruited an army of Australian nuns to storm Heaven with prayers for good weather on for the Pope’s arrival in Sydney.

Vatican in talks to open church in Saudi Arabia

ROME, March 18 (CNA) - The Vatican is in negotiations with Saudi Arabia to open the first Catholic Church in the country in modern times, the Telegraph reports.

Pope reflects on Jesus' love to the end

VATICAN CITY, March 16 (CNA) - Beneath the gaze of the towering figures of Sts. Peter and Paul, Pope Benedict presided over the annual Palm Sunday liturgy in St. Peter's Square this morning.  He reminded the audience that God's power is in the power of love - which is present in the sacrifice of his Son.

Holy Father exclaims: Enough violence, enough hatred in Iraq!

VATICAN CITY, March 16 (CNA) - At the end of the solemn celebration, Pope Benedict XVI expressed again his deep sorrow over the death of Archbishop of Mosul for Chaldeans, Monsignor Paulos Faraj Rahho, who tragically disappeared on February 29 and was found buried in a shallow grave outside of Mosul last week.

Tens of thousands of Americans to enter Church at Easter

WASHINGTON DC, March 16 (CNA) - Tens of thousands of people around the United States will be received into the Catholic Church in less than a week at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, March 22. 

"To Recognize God We Must Abandon the Pride That Blinds Us"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 16, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the homily Benedict XVI gave at today's Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square.

Vatican reports Cuban interest in prisoner swap

WASHINGTON — New Cuban leader Raul Castro would consider exchanging dissidents held in Cuban jails for five Cuban intelligence agents imprisoned in the United States as spies, a top Vatican official said.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone told the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano in an interview published Friday that the subject came up during a meeting with the new Cuban leader.

Vatican summit on China strategy

Top Vatican officials will review the Holy See's China strategy when they gather next week in Rome with speculation growing that Beijing is willing to advance negotiations on diplomatic ties ahead of the Olympics....

Feminist formula makes Baptism invalid, Vatican rules

Vatican, Feb. 29, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has warned that Baptism is not valid when the celebrant uses a popular new formula.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) released a statement on February 29 saying that a baptism "in the name of the Creator, and of the Redeemer, and of the Sanctifier," is not a valid Christian sacrament.