Conclave to Begin Tuesday

Earlier today, the College of Cardinals voted to hold conclave on Tuesday, March 12.

The cardinals will celebrate a pro eligendo Romano Pontifice Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in the morning, and “in the afternoon the cardinals will enter into the conclave,” Father Lombardi confirmed.

Source: National Catholic Register

Sede Vacante: Pope Benedict XVI Abdicates Papacy

At 8:00 PM CET (Rome time), Pope Benedict XVI officially abdicated the papacy. The Holy See is now sede vacante. Benedict XVI is now to be called "Emeritus Pope".


The college of cardinals is currently gathering in Rome and the conclave to elect the next pontiff is expected to begin in early March.

Video of Pope Benedict XVI's Resignation Speech

The UK-based news service The Guardian has put together a video of the Pope's resignation address at a meeting of the cardinals, complete with English subtitles.

Text of Pope Benedict XVI's Resignation Announcement

"Dear Brothers,

 

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer."

Vatican Considers Fielding a Football Team

The Vatican apparently is considering fielding a football team (or soccer team for all you Americans reading) that would compete in the Italian Serie A.

From BREITBART.com:

"I do not preclude the possibility that the Vatican, in the future, could put together a football team of great value, that could play on the same level as Roma, Inter Milan and Sampdoria," all first division teams, said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Holy See's Secretary of State.

One thing is certain: the team would have two loyal diehard fans in Boney and Jimbo.

John Paul II Cartoon to Be Released by Vatican

Great news! The Vatican has announced that they will be releasing a DVD about the life of Pope John Paul II. From BBC News:

The cartoon traces the history of a man who rose from humble beginnings in Poland to lead millions of Catholics.

The story is narrated by two white doves and animated versions of his personal diary and fountain pen.

The film has been created by animation producer Jose Luis Lopez-Guardia.

Read more: Cartoon tribute to Pope John Paul