Pope Francis Chooses Original Design of the Fisherman’s Ring Intended For Paul VI 21

Source: Zenit.org

In a statement released to journalists, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office gave new information on the Ring of the Fisherman. The ring was given to Pope Francis at the beginning of the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry Mass today held in St. Peter’s Square. More…

Running in Cassock! The Exciting Evening of the Pope’s Election 11

By Br Eric Wandrey

Br Eric Wandrey

Our seminary in Rome is 4.5 miles from the Vatican. Since the announcement of the Conclave, every brother was making his own contingency plans to get to St. Peter’s ASAP when the white smoke went up. More…

The White, The Black, and the Brown: Reflections on Francis 23

As they say, "Good things always come in threes"

As they say, “Good things always come in threes”

Black smoke, white smoke, no more smoke today — Thanks be to God! — but the excitement isn’t over yet. We are still excited about getting to know our new Pope.

Yesterday was full of surprises for everybody. Most of us were not expecting the Pope to be elected so quickly. When the new Pope was announced, all the people around me were asking “Who?” And the name Francis caught many people by surprise.  More…

The Thrill of Black Smoke 13

As I was pouring my second cup of coffee this morning, a friend of mine came up to me with a beaming face and ear to ear grin and said: “Black Smoke!”

BREAKING NEWS: Still No Pope, Yet....

BREAKING NEWS: Still No Pope, Yet….

Thinking it was appropriate to join him in his enthusiasm, I gave him a hearty fist-pump and belted out a stentorian “YES!!”

Afterward as I was savoring my hot cup of black gold, I thought to myself why was that appropriate? More…

A Final Wave from the Holy Father 23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — On his last full day as pope, Pope Benedict XVI delivered an unusually personal and emotional farewell address, thanking the faithful around the world for their support and assuring them that he would remain in their service even in retirement.

“I will continue to accompany the path of the church with prayer and reflection, with that dedication to the Lord and to his bride that I have tried to live every day till now and that I want to live always,” the pope told a crowd in St. Peter’s Square Feb. 27, the eve of his resignation. (Continue reading…) More…

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul and the Tradition of the Pallium 9

Today in the city of Rome, 43 Archbishops, including 2 cardinals, received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony at Saint Peter’s Basilica. Two other prelates, who were absent will receive the their palliums in their own dioceses. More…