Pope: Don't Fear Death

Today, on All Hallows Eve, Pope Benedict XVI said that the November 1 feast of All Saints and the November 2 feast of All Souls encourage Christians to offer prayers for their departed loved ones and can also help them "think of the mystery of death without fear."

"New life, received through baptism, is not subject to the corruption and power of death," he said.

For Christians, "death is a gateway from the earthly pilgrimage to the home of heaven, where the Father welcomes all his children of every nation, race, people and tongue," he said.

Read more: Pope tells Christians to think of "death without fear"

Help Hurricane Katrina Victims

Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his condolences to victims of hurricane Katrina. In a telegram message sent yesterday from the Vatican, the Pope said that he was "deeply saddened" and promised his prayers for all those affected by the storm that violently struck the southeastern United States beginning Monday morning. He also encouraged relief workers to "persevere in their efforts to bring relief and support."

If you are interested in helping the victims of hurricane Katrina, visit RedCross.org or call the Red Cross at 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Pope Reflects on WYD

Pope Benedict XVI reflected on his recent four-day trip to Cologne, Germany for World Youth Day from Castel Gandolfo:

"It really was an extraordinary ecclesial experience at Cologne last week," Benedict told pilgrims and tourists at the papal summer palace. The pontiff said that the young participants left the city "animated by a great hope without, nonetheless, losing sight of the not few difficulties, the obstacles and the problems that in our time accompany the authentic search for Christ and faithful adhesion to his Gospel."

Read more: Pope exalts aftermath of World Youth Day

Pope Prepares for World Youth Day

On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI will depart Rome for Cologne, Germany to join the World Youth Day festivities. The celebration will conclude on Sunday with a Mass at which the Pope will preside.

On August 16, the first day of the WYD festivities, Pope Benedict XVI conducted the first formal interview of his Pontificate with Vatican Radio. He said that he hopes World Youth Day will spark "a wave of new faith among young people, especially in the young people of Germany and Europe." According to Catholic World News:

Young people are always "full of problems, but also full of hope," the Pontiff observed. They want to learn about life for themselves, rather than have others "regurgitate it for them." He said that he wants to convey the vigor and beauty of Christian thought, so that they realize that "wisdom is not something stale."

Read more: Pope gives rare radio interview

Petition for Peace in Northern Uganda

Loyal Pope Blog readers, today's post is an invitation to take action to help the people of northern Uganda. Pope John Paul II himself spoke out against the evils of using children as soldiers:

"For more than 18 years, northern Uganda is troubled by an inhumane conflict which involves millions of persons, including children. Many of them, gripped by fear and deprived of any future, feel forced to become soldiers," John Paul said. He urged the international community and national political leaders to end the conflict and "offer real prospects of peace to the entire Ugandan nation."

Take action by signing the petition for peace in northern Uganda at the Uganda-CAN Web site.

Latin & Gregorian Chant to Make Comeback

Exciting news: details from the working version of "The Eucharist: source and summit of the life and mission of the church." From Yahoo! News:

[The paper] suggests, for example, that Latin be used during international liturgical gatherings so all priests involved can understand the proceedings, and it suggests that parishes consider using more Gregorian chants to prevent more "profane" types of music from being played.

It calls for priests not to be "showmen" who draw attention to themselves and says lay people can have an important but "minimal" presence in Masses. It says the tabernacle — which holds the bread and wine held by Catholics to be the body and blood of Christ — should have a prominent place in the church and not be shunted off to a corner.

Excellent! Read more: Vatican Criticizes Catholics on Communion