Officials confirm discovery of balloon priest’s remains

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 30 (CNA) - The body of the Brazilian ballooning priest, Fr. Adelir Antonio de Carli, has been discovered off the coast of Brazil local authorities confirmed.

Pope to work on new document during vacation in Bressanone

ROME, July 29 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI may be working on the conclusion of the expected social encyclical or on a new document during his vacation in Bressanone, according to Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, who spoke to reporters on the first day of the Pope’s vacation in German-speaking northern Italy.

Federal Bank buys 5 pct in Catholic Syrian Bank -

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's Federal Bank has bought 5 percent shares of
unlisted Catholic Syrian Bank (CSB)

Apologies and the Catholic Church Inquirer.net -

Philippines
2008, Pope Benedict XVI finally apologized to the victims of sexual abuse
by Catholic clerics in Australia and even called for evildoers to be
punished.

A dissident Catholic faults his church for opposing condom use Dallas Morning News -

Jon O'Brien is president of Catholics for Choice, a group that supports the
use of condoms and other forms of artificial conception.

Pope Benedict XVI consoles victims of Catholic abuse Melbourne Herald Sun -

Politicians and WYD officials lined up to sing the praises of the Catholic
event, which drew 223000 registered pilgrims to Sydney

Over 4,000 U.S. pilgrims gather for inaugural Mass

SYDNEY, July 20 (CNA) - The largest ever gathering of U.S. pilgrims at a WYD festival was held yesterday morning at The Domain, one of Sydney’s landmark parks for WYD08. 

Benedict bids farewell to Australia, PM announces first ambassador

SYDNEY, July 20 (CNA) - Pope Benedict departed Australia for Rome today after a busy eight-day stay. The Holy Father bid adieu by blessing Australia and holding a farewell ceremony with the Prime Minister (PM) Kevin Rudd, who announced that Australia will begin diplomatic relations with the Holy See for the first time.

WYD Highlights: Over 4000 US Gather for Mass Catholic News Agency -

An initiative of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the gathering
involved a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Francis George, OMI, from Chicago

First the fervour, now the reckoning Sydney Morning Herald -

The evening vigil, with its sea of winking candles and camera flashes, and
yesterday's closing Mass, with its display of Catholic ritual, were
cinematic

Activist group "ordains" women Catholic priests Boston Globe -

BOSTON—An activist group hoping to pressure the
Roman Catholic church into dropping its long-standing prohibition barring
women

Pope receives an unsual delegation: a koala, kangaroo and python

SYDNEY, July 16 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI held an unsual audience on Wednesday morning--a meeting with a koala, red-necked wallaby joey and other iconic Australian animals at the Kenthurst Study Centre.

Soccer pro retires to pursue Catholic priesthood

BOSTON, July 16 (CNA) - A professional soccer player in Massachusetts has retired from the sport to enter a Catholic seminary, saying he is “moving on to something much greater.”

Pope welcomes World Youth Day pilgrims in video message

SYDNEY, July 15 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI, speaking in his video message to World Youth Day pilgrims shortly before the commencement of the event, said he looked forward to the upcoming opportunities for prayer and reflection with young people from around the world.

Cardinal Pell celebrates World Youth Day Opening Mass with over 140,000 people

SYDNEY, July 15 (CNA) - Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd greeted pilgrims prior to the Mass, in several different languages.

Religious voters favor McCain, poll claims

PRINCETON, July 15 (CNA) - A new Gallup Poll claims to show that registered voters who say religion is important in their lives tend to support presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain by a margin of 50 to 40 percent.

Australian politicians' attendance at final World Youth Day Mass raises Communion questions

SYDNEY, July 12 (CNA) - Several leading Australian political figures who are Catholic will attend the papal Mass closing World Youth Day, highlighting some leaders’ inconsistencies in applying their faith to political life.

Pope lands in Australia, prays youth will find rest, joy and desire to evangelize

SYDNEY, July 13 (CNA) - As Pope Benedict XVI landed in Sydney on Sunday, the youth who are eagerly awaiting World Youth Day, received a message from the Pope.

Pope to leave for World Youth Day on Saturday

VATICAN CITY, July 11 (CNA) - Shepherd One, Pope Benedict XVI’s airplane will take off from Rome on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. bearing the Holy Father on his way to Australia for World Youth Day.

Anglican bishop ready to bring his flock into communion with Rome

LONDON, July 10 (CNA) - The Rt. Reverend Andrew Burnham, the Anglican Bishop of Ebbsfleet, has made public his plans to come into communion with the Roman Catholic Church and bring his flock with him.

Scholars divided on interpretation of ‘Gabriel’s Revelation’ tablet

JERUSALEM, July 9 (CNA) - A tablet with messianic overtones reputedly from before the time of Christ has become a topic of debate in biblical and archaeological circles.

Pope Benedict appoints Salesian as prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints

VATICAN CITY, July 9 (CNA) - Today Archbishop Angelo Amato was appointed by the Holy Father as prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The archbishop will also be raised to a cardinal during the next consistory.