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• Pope encourages protection of children from abuse

  May 5, 2013 10:31 AM

  VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis is calling for courageous defense of children to protect them from abuse. Francis made no mention of the church scandals in many countries in which clergy abused children and hierarchy covered up for them. At a Mass he celebrated Sunday in crowded St. Peter's Square,... more »

• Pope washes feet of young detainees in ritual

  March 28, 2013 1:03 PM

  ROME - Pope Francis has washed the feet of a dozen inmates at a juvenile detention center in a Holy Thursday ritual that he celebrated for years as archbishop and is continuing now that he is pope. The Mass was held in the Casal del Marmo facility in Rome, where... more »

• Baton Rouge welcomes new pope Play Video

  March 13, 2013 10:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Cheers and smiles greeted the announcement of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, the new leader of the Catholics. The first pope from the Americas and the first pope to use the name Francis. Principal of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School Brian Moscona says the... more »

• Pope's visit to Louisiana remembered during Conclave Play Video

  March 13, 2013 4:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE- When Pope John Paul II visited New Orleans in 1987, Betty Wright brought her entire family to a mass the pope held at UNO. She says as her family waited for the pope, the sky began to open up and it seemed destined rain would cloud her... more »

• Bishop Muench on selection of Pope Francis

  March 13, 2013 4:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The bishop of Baton Rouge called the election of Pope Francis a "wonderful selection" for the Catholic church. "This is a wonderful selection for the worldwide aspect of the Catholic church, and for the Spanish-speaking [Catholics} throughout the world," Bishop Robert Muench said Wednesday afternoon. ... more »

• The Next Pope: Bergoglio announced as Pope Francis

  March 13, 2013 2:04 PM

  VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina has been named as the new pope, and taken the name Pope Francis. He is the first Latin American pontiff, and the first Jesuit to be named pope. "You know that the work of the conclave is to give... more »

• "Habemus Papam" - We Have A Pope

  March 13, 2013 1:41 PM

  VATICAN CITY - White smoke poured from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel and bells at the Vatican and at churches all over the world rang, signaling the College of Cardinals elected a new pope to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. The new pope is expected to appear... more »

• The Next Pope: No smoke, but a seagull instead

  March 13, 2013 12:41 PM

  VATICAN CITY - With no pope, a sea gull is stealing the show at the papal conclave. Smoke watching has become bird watching in St. Peter's Square after a sea gull perched atop the chimney that belches out smoke from the Sistine Chapel to signal whether or not a pope... more »

• The Next Pope: Vatican says consensus takes time

  March 13, 2013 10:18 AM

  VATICAN CITY - The sight of thick black smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel is bringing sighs of disappointment from the thousands of people who've gathered there in the rainy, chilly weather, waiting for news that a new pope has been elected. Click here to watch a... more »

• The Next Pope: More black smoke after third vote

  March 13, 2013 8:10 AM

  VATICAN CITY - The Cardinals are still in search of a pope after three votes during their conclave at the Vatican in the Sistine Chapel. Black smoke has been billowing from the chimney of the chapel, meaning the Roman Catholic cardinals have not elected a pope in their second or... more »

• The Next Pope: Louisiana Catholics pray for pope Play Video

  March 12, 2013 5:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE- As the 115 cardinals participating in the conclave to elect a new pope entered the Sistine Chapel, Catholics worldwide began to pray. Father Jamin David knows most believers want the same thing in a pope, but adds anyone looking for radical change may need to keep praying.... more »

• The Next Pope: American priest a hit in Rome

  March 12, 2013 3:44 PM

  VATICAN CITY - Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who wears the humble brown robe of his Capuchin religious order, has emerged as an unlikely star amid the papal conclave in Rome. Vatican analysts for leading Italian newspapers have listed O'Malley as one of the favorite contenders for pope. The bearded, soft-spoken... more »

• The Next Pope: Cardinals celebrate Mass before conclave

  March 12, 2013 8:08 AM

  VATICAN CITY - Cardinals at the Vatican have celebrated a final Mass before they sequester themselves in the Sistine Chapel to begin selecting a new pope. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the dean of the College of Cardinals, delivered today's homily, calling for unity within the church. When he mentioned... more »

• The Next Pope: Top contenders at Conclave

  March 11, 2013 5:53 PM

  VATICAN CITY -- Cardinals from around the world gather this week in a conclave to elect a new pope following the stunning resignation of Benedict XVI. In the secretive world of the Vatican, there is no way to know who is in the running, and history has yielded plenty of... more »

• The Next Pope: Horse-trading before Conclave

  March 11, 2013 5:50 PM

  VATICAN CITY - The Vatican insists that the cardinals participating in the conclave that starts Tuesday will vote their conscience, each influenced only by silent prayers and reflection. Everybody knows, however, that power plays, vested interests and Machiavellian maneuvering are all part of the game, and that the horse-trading is... more »

• The Next Pope: Modern twists to ancient rites

  March 11, 2013 5:34 PM

  VATICAN CITY - Ritual words, uttered in Latin, open and close the secret selection process of the new pope. It starts with "Extra omnes" - or "Everyone out" - expelling all but voting cardinals from the Sistine Chapel where conclave balloting takes place. It ends with "Accepto" - "I... more »

• Cardinals end pre-conclave meetings

  March 11, 2013 12:45 PM

  VATICAN CITY (AP) - The cardinals who'll decide on a successor to Pope Benedict have wrapped up their pre-conclave discussions. Vatican Officials say they voted to end their deliberations even though some still wanted to speak. Spokesman The Reverend Thomas Rosica (roh-SEE'-kah) says most felt they had "enough information." The... more »

• Vietnam cardinal arrives, last 1 in for conclave

  March 7, 2013 3:44 PM

  VATICAN CITY - The last cardinal who will participate in the conclave to elect the next pope arrived in Rome on Thursday, meaning a date can now be set for the election. One U.S. cardinal said a decision on the start date is expected soon. Some American and other cardinals... more »

• Vatican waiting on 5 cardinals for conclave

  March 5, 2013 7:38 AM

  VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is now waiting for five more cardinals to reach Rome before setting the date for the conclave to elect a new pope. The Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said another handful of cardinals had arrived Monday night, bringing the number of voting-age cardinals up... more »

• Cardinals get down to work in pre-conclave talks

  March 4, 2013 7:41 AM

  VATICAN CITY - Cardinals are gathering in Rome to discuss some of the major problems facing the Catholic Church ahead of the conclave to elect Benedict 's successor as pope. Topping the agenda: Vatican scandals, Benedict's remarkable decision to resign and efforts to keep Christianity relevant in today's world.... more »

• Pope flies to papal retreat in helicopter

  February 28, 2013 10:19 AM

  VATICAN CITY - Benedict XVI has left the Vatican for the last time as pope, flying by helicopter to the Vatican's vacation retreat hours before becoming the first pontiff to resign in 600 years. As his closest aide wept by his side, Benedict bade farewell to Vatican officials gathered in... more »

• Benedict to be called "emeritus pope", will wear white

  February 26, 2013 3:19 PM

  VATICAN CITY - There soon will be two pontiffs, each wearing white and each called "pope" living a few yards apart, with the same archbishop serving both. The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI has decided that he will be known as "emeritus pope" when he retires, and will be called... more »

• BRHS choir gets Ash Wednesday papal audience Play Video

  February 13, 2013 10:48 AM

  VATICAN CITY - Students from Baton Rouge performed for Pope Benedict XVI during an Ash Wednesday papal audience today at the Vatican. Members of the Baton Rouge High School Festival Singers performed a Papal address. Faculty members said they were in Italy for a choral tour when they... more »

• Resignation of the Pope: perspective Play Video

  February 11, 2013 10:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Area Catholics and religious experts shared their thoughts on the news that the Pope has resigned. "That period of mourning, that process of morning is really important for Catholics in that transition period. And without it we'll see how Catholics respond," said Michael Pasquier. Pasquier is a religious... more »

• Cardinal: Pope's decision is 'liberating'

  February 11, 2013 4:11 PM

  VATICAN CITY - A French cardinal says Pope Benedict's decision to resign is a "liberating act" for future popes. The pontiff told a meeting of cardinals today that he will be resigning at the end of this month, becoming the first pope to step down in 600 years. He said... more »

• Catholic leaders respond to Pope's resignation

  February 11, 2013 11:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Local Catholic leaders are responding to Pope Benedict XVI's resignation. In a statement, Bishop Robert W. Muench of Baton Rouge said, "When I think of Pope Benedict, the words of St. Paul come to mind: "Whatever you do, do with your whole heart. Do it for... more »

• Man who scaled Vatican talked down safely

  January 1, 2013 11:55 AM

  VATICAN CITY - A man has scaled the scaffolding around St. Peter's Square and draped a banner calling on Pope Benedict XVI to "Stop Terrorism." The man identified himself on the banner as Julian Jungarean, a Romanian who has previously scaled the colonnade around the piazza. After a few hours... more »

• Pope's butler formally questioned in leaks probe

  June 5, 2012 9:35 AM

  VATICAN CITY - The Vatican says the pope's butler has been formally questioned in the investigation into the leaks of the pope's papers, one of the gravest security breaches in recent Vatican history. Paolo Gabriele was arrested May 23 and has been held ever since in a secure room inside... more »

• Vatican: Some China bishops 'usurp' church power

  April 26, 2012 8:35 AM

  VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is complaining that some bishops in China have "usurped" the Catholic Church's authority and are confusing the faithful. The Vatican warned Thursday that bishops who were consecrated without the pope's blessing yet work among the faithful as if they were legitimate are only making their... more »

• Pope stakes out church's course entering 8th year

  April 24, 2012 5:17 PM

  VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI is beginning his eighth year as pope after spending the waning days of his seventh driving home his very conservative view of the Catholic Church. In recent weeks, the Vatican has issued a divisive crackdown on dissenters and an equally divisive opening to a... more »

• Pope celebrates a very Bavarian 85th birthday

  April 16, 2012 8:40 AM

  VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI is having a very Bavarian birthday, celebrating his 85th milestone at the Vatican with his brother and bishops from his native land. Cardinal Angelo Sodano issued birthday greetings today on behalf of the College of Cardinals that elected Benedict. They were said at the... more »

• Pope meets with Fidel Castro

  March 28, 2012 4:50 PM

  HAVANA - Pope Benedict met today for about a half an hour with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The meeting followed a Mass that drew hundreds of thousands of people to the shrine of Cuba's communist revolution. In his homily, the Pope demanded greater freedome for the Catholic Church in... more »

• Pope marks Ash Wednesday

  February 22, 2012 11:56 AM

  ROME- Pope Benedict XVI has led a solemn service to mark the start of the Lenten season of penitence, including the placement of ashes on the forehead of faithful. Benedict wore purple-colored vestments as he celebrated Mass in the Basilica of Santa Sabina, an ancient church on Rome's Aventine Hill.... more »

• Confession app now available for iPhone

  February 8, 2011 5:43 PM

  BATON ROUGE- An app made to help explain the confession process is now available for iPhone users. It's called "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" and it's available on the iTunes App store for $1.99. It will help you through the sacrament and gives you a personal examination of conscience.... more »

• Pope urges respect for embryos

  November 27, 2010 1:16 PM

  VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI has called for politicians and other world leaders to show more respect for human life at its earliest stages by saying embryos are dynamic, autonomous individuals. Benedict made the comments during a vespers service Saturday to mark the beginning of Advent. This year, the... more »

• Pope: Condoms okay, abstinence better

  November 21, 2010 9:48 AM

  VATICAN CITY- The Vatican on Sunday cautioned that there is nothing "revolutionary" in Pope Benedict XVI's startling assertion that condom use in exceptional circumstances can be a responsible act in the fight against the spread of HIV. The Holy See's chief spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, issued a statement... more »

• Irish bishop resigns, British Catholic leaders apologize

  April 22, 2010 6:29 AM

  An Irish bishop resigned after admitting he didn't challenge the Dublin church's policy of covering up clerical sex abuse. The Vatican says the pope has accepted the resignation of Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare under a code of canon law that allows bishops to resign if they are ill, or... more »

• Pope asked to replace Irish Bishops

  February 9, 2010 8:42 PM

  Victims of Catholic sexual abuse in Ireland wrote Pope Benedict XVI and asked him to replace the bishops implicated in withholding evidence from police and to take responsibility for the church's concealment of child molestation. The letter comes a week before a special Vatican summit involving the Pope and Ireland's... more »