The Pope Says, "No, We Haven't Changed Our Minds About the Condom Thing"

It certainly did not take long for the Holy Father to respond to some, ermm, inaccurate comments from Father Juan Antonio Martinez Camino. Reuters reports:

Pope John Paul has stressed that the Roman Catholic Church believes abstinence and fidelity within marriage, and not condoms, are the best way to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The Pope's words, spoken to a new ambassador to the Vatican, took on an added significance being his first direct comment on the controversial topic since a Catholic official in Spain this week appeared to question the Church's stand against condoms.

"The Holy See ... believes prevention through education about the sacredness of life and the correct practice of sexuality, that is chastity and faithfulness, is necessary above all other things in order to prevent this disease responsibly," the 84-year old Pontiff said in a written address.

Read more: Pope reaffirms no condom stand after Spain debacle

Archbishop Casmoussa Released

Archbishop Casmoussa, the leader of the Syrian-Catholic archdiocese of Mosul, has been safely released. Zenit reports:

The Holy See expressed John Paul II's "great satisfaction" over the release of Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa of Mosul, who had been briefly held hostage by gunmen in Iraq.

The Pope's sentiments were published today in a statement by Joaquín Navarro Valls, director of the Vatican press office, shortly after Iraqi Catholic sources reported news of the Syrian-Catholic archbishop's release.

"The Holy Father was informed immediately and he thanked God for the happy outcome of this vicissitude," said Navarro Valls.

Read more: Pope Grateful for Iraqi Archbishop's Release

The Pope's Christmas Mass on Your Mobile

Catholics can now watch Pope John Paul II's Christmas Mass on their next generation cell phones! According to Reuters:

Italian state broadcaster RAI said on Thursday it has reached an agreement with cell phone operators TIM and Vodafone to broadcast the 84-year-old Pontiff's Midnight Mass from the Vatican on Dec. 24 as well as his Christmas Day message and blessing at 1100 GMT on Friday.

Read more: Pope John Paul Hits the Little Screen

The Pope Delivers Address for 2005 World Peace Day

Pope John Paul II last week delivered his address for World Peace Day (Jan. 1). ChristianToday reports:

Particularly, the Pope expressed his deep love for the innocents who have suffered and sacrificed in the wars around the world. He lamented the millions of lives lost in his "beloved Africa"; the "torn fabric of mutual understanding" in Palestine; "terrorist violence that appears to be driving the whole world towards a future of fear and anguish"; and the situation in Iraq, "which has given rise to uncertainty and insecurity for all".

Read more: Pope Addresses World Peace Day: Africa Needs New Direction

Boney's Back!

Hey there all you JPII-lovers! Just wanted to let you know what Boney's back from Shanghai-and I plan to post a bit more frequently than did Jimbo. But I'd like to commend him for doing a good job in my stead; his posts upheld the high quality of content that we're all used to around here :) Anyway, cheers to being home for Christmas!

Pope Praises US Bishops for Handling Scandal

Pope John Paul II met with a group of American bishops today and praised them for how they handled the sex-abuse scandal. According to Catholic World News:

The Holy Father stressed that he "shares the deep pain which you and your people have experience in these last years," and urged the American bishops "to persevere joyfully in the ministry entrusted to you."

The scandal, John Paul II said, had given the Church in America "a providential call to conversion and deeper fidelity." The crisis, he added, gave the American bishops an opportunity for "to begin the new millennium by starting afresh from Christ."

Read more: Pope praises US bishops for handling of scandal