Pope Benedict

Rome -- June 2008 -- A unique musical about the life of the Virgin Mary will premiere at the Vatican Tuesday evening. Mary of Nazareth - An Ongoing Story is the first musical to be made of the life of Mary. It traces the battle between good and evil, God and the devil, in Mary's life.

Mary of Nazareth - An Ongoing Story is an Italian production sponsored by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

The story chronicles Mary's life - from her Jewish childhood, the Annunciation, her marriage to Joseph, the birth of Jesus and her Assumption*. It traces the battle between good and evil - God and the devil - in Mary's life as she grows up.    » read more »

18 May 2008 -- Pope Benedict XVI has urged diplomats at an international conference in Dublin to sign a treaty banning cluster bombs, which have killed or wounded thousands of civilians.

Benedict said Sunday it is "necessary to correct the errors of the past." He also prayed for the victims of the bombs and their families.

Cluster bombs are fired from the ground or dropped from planes. They explode in mid-air and scatter hundreds of smaller bombs over a wide area. The unexploded small bombs can stay hidden for months before blowing up.

The United Nations says the bombs have killed or wounded many children who step on them or pick them up mistaking them for toys.    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- As John McCain attends the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean called on the Republican nominee to denounce insulting comments made by one of his campaign surrogates, Rep. Tom Tancredo.

Tancredo issued a press release yesterday attacking the "Pope's comments regarding U.S. immigration policy" and accusing his position of stemming from an interest in "recruiting new members."

Tom Tancredo: Photo by VictoryNH: Protect Our Primary (CC)

Dean issued the following statement:    » read more »

April 20, 2008 -- JFK Airport -- New York, New York -- DICK CHENEY: Your Holiness, President and Senator Clinton, Your Eminences Cardinal Bertoni and Cardinal Egan, Your Excellency Bishop DiMarzio, clergy and religious, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

Anti-Cheney bumper sticker: Photo by futureatlas (CC)

It's a privilege to join all of you as our esteemed visitor, the Holy Father, concludes his visit to the United States. It has been a memorable week, and Pope Benedict XVI has stepped into the history of our country in a very special way.    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Holy Father, Laura and I are privileged to have you here at the White House. We welcome you with the ancient words commended by Saint Augustine: "Pax Tecum." Peace be with you.

You've chosen to visit America on your birthday.

Pope Benedict XVI and George W. Bush behind shrub: White House photo by Chris Greenberg

Well, birthdays are traditionally spent with close friends, so our entire nation is moved and honored that you've decided to share this special day with us. We wish you much health and happiness -- today and for many years to come.    » read more »

16 April 2008 -- Pope Benedict visits the White House Wednesday for formal talks with President Bush. Tuesday, cheering crowds sang birthday wishes to the pope, who turns 81 today, as he arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington. He was welcomed by Mr. Bush, his wife, First Lady Laura Bush, and their daughter Jenna.

Pope Benedict XVI: Photo by A.Currell (CC)

No visiting foreign leader has ever been welcomed at the airport by President Bush.    » read more »

- XM, EWTN to host six-day XM channel devoted to Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States April 15-20
- XM listeners across the nation can tune into XM Channel 120 for complete coverage of the Pope's first pastoral visit to the U.S.

WASHINGTON, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- XM Satellite Radio today announced that it will join with EWTN Global Catholic Network to launch a six-day XM Radio channel devoted to Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States.

The Papal U.S. Visit '08 channel will air nationwide on XM channel 120 from April 15 to April 20. The channel can also be heard on XM Radio Online at listen.xmradio.com    » read more »

15 January 2008 -- Pope Benedict XVI has canceled a visit to one of Rome's best-known universities, because protests threatened to overshadow the event.

Dozens of students and teachers at La Sapienza University say they condemn the pontiff's conservative stand on many scientific issues. A total of 67 professors signed a letter calling the Pope a backward-thinking theologian who forces religion into science, and asked that he not be allowed to speak at the school.    » read more »

13 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict has asked bishops from Latin America and the Caribbean to be faithful and effective missionaries for the Roman Catholic church. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the pope made the call at the start of a regional conference.

Pope Benedict led Mass at a basilica near Sao Paulo, marking the start of the fifth conference of Latin American and Caribbean bishops. Tens of thousands of people traveled to the site for the open-air ceremony, including more than 160 bishops and cardinals from several nations.    » read more »

13 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict XVI has expressed concern about authoritarian governments and Marxist movements in some countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Pope Benedict spoke to more than 160 bishops and cardinals meeting near Sao Paulo for the fifth conference of Latin American and Caribbean bishops. He said many things have changed since the regional group last met in 1992 in Dominican Republic to discuss ways to strengthen the Roman Catholic church and defend against challenges to its authority.

Latin America is home to nearly one half of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.    » read more »

11 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict has canonized an 18th-century Brazilian monk who is credited with helping to cure thousands of people of physical ailments. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports that about one million people gathered for the ceremony.

Pope Benedict led the canonization ceremony for Antonio de Sant'Anna Galvao who becomes the first Brazilian-born saint in the Roman Catholic church. Brazilian bishops recounted the history of the Franciscan monk, who died in 1822 at the age of 83 after founding several monasteries and convents in the country.    » read more »

10 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict XVI has appealed directly to the youth of Brazil to follow a strict moral code. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the pope's speech to the young is seen as crucial to his effort to strengthen the Roman Catholic church in the face of growing concerns across Latin America.    » read more »

09 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Brazil for a five-day visit that includes meetings with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and with church leaders from across Latin America. In Sao Paulo, VOA's Brian Wagner reports the pope also is expected to use his public appearances to address key social problems facing the region.

Pope Benedict's visit to Sao Paulo, opens his five-day trip to Latin America. On his arrival here, he was greeted at the airport by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his wife, Brazilian officials, and the Catholic bishops of the country.    » read more »

08 May 2007 -- Pope Benedict begins his first trip to Latin America this week, traveling to Brazil. He has asked Catholics to pray for the success of the visit to a region that is home to nearly half of the world's Catholics and which the pope has described as "a continent of hope". Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Pope Benedict leaves Wednesday to spend five days in Brazil, the world's largest Roman Catholic country, where the church faces an uncertain future and falling numbers.    » read more »