Tarcisio Bertone | GlobalPost

Pope urges Bostonians 'to combat evil with good'

Agence France-PresseApril 16, 2013 08:18

Pope Francis on Tuesday expressed his condolences over a twin bomb attack at the Boston Marathon as a "senseless tragedy" and urged the US city's residents "to combat evil with good", the Vatican said. "The Holy Father prays that all Bostonians will be united in a resolve not to be overcome by evil, but to combat evil with good, working together to build an ever more just, free and secure society," the Vatican's Secretary of State said in a message to the archbishop of Boston, Sean O'Malley.

Cardinals meet in shadow of scandal, discord and intrigue

Thomson ReutersMarch 1, 2013 12:15

* Cardinals will be asking about report on "Vatileaks" * Italian-dominated Curia seen as having let Benedict down * Administration blamed for failing to prevent scandals By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY, March 1 (Reuters) - Roman Catholic cardinals gathering to choose a successor to "Pope Emeritus Benedict" will be worrying about a Vatican hierarchy hit by scandals, intrigue and betrayals befitting a Renaissance court.

Benedict XVI to have the title of "pope emeritus"

Agencia EFEFebruary 26, 2013 14:31

Vatican City, Feb 26 (EFE).- Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be addressed as Your Holiness, will acquire the title of pope emeritus and will dress in public in a white papal cassock after he steps down at the end of this month, the Vatican said Tuesday. The decision on how Joseph Ratzinger will be addressed was made "mainly" by the pope himself after consulting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who is in charge of managing the Catholic Church until a new pontiff is chosen, and other senior clerics, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Gossip scandal erupts in Vatican ahead of pope's exit

Agence France-PresseFebruary 22, 2013 09:16

With just days to go before Pope Benedict XVI's resignation, the Vatican is battling persistent rumours that his decision was triggered by an explosive report on intrigue in its corridors of power. The secret report compiled by a committee of three cardinals for the pope's eyes only was the result of a wide-ranging investigation into leaks of confidential papers from the Vatican that caused huge embarrassment last year.

Vatican's popeless interim -- the 'Sede Vacante'

Agence France-PresseFebruary 21, 2013 22:16

After the pope's resignation on Thursday the Catholic Church will enter a period known as "Sede Vacante" ("Vacant Seat") in which a cardinal takes over interim powers before a new pope is elected. The cardinal, referred to as the "Camerlengo" ("Chamberlain"), in this case will be Italy's Tarcisio Bertone -- a powerful prelate whose handling of Church affairs in recent years has been hugely divisive within the Vatican hierarchy.

Pope urging Church leaders to put aside rivalries

Thomson ReutersFebruary 14, 2013 12:30

* Recent comments add up to parting message to Church * Pope increasingly concerned about high-level in-fighting * Powerful cardinals consult in preparation for conclave By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor VATICAN CITY, Feb 14 (Reuters) - With passing phrases and striking images, Pope Benedict is assembling a last testament to his Roman Catholic Church, urging its leaders to put aside their rivalries and think only of the unity of the faith.

RPT-Discreet papal campaign began before pope shock

Thomson ReutersFebruary 14, 2013 05:01

(Repeats story first filed on Wednesday, with no changes) * Cardinals began jockeying behind scenes two years ago * Papal election is mysterious game of bluff * Discreet meetings in Vatican and at Roman hostelries By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor VATICAN CITY, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict may have shocked the world by announcing his resignation on Monday, but some cardinals apparently started manoeuvring for the succession as long as two years ago.

UPDATE 1-Ovation for Pope Benedict at final public mass

Thomson ReutersFebruary 13, 2013 17:00

Pope confident his resignation will not hurt Church

Thomson ReutersFebruary 13, 2013 11:32

* Vatican tries to reassure faithful on Church's future * Conclave likely to start between March 15-20 * Cardinals start informal consultations * Vatican central administration faulted over scandals By Philip Pullella ROME, Feb 13 (Reuters) - A visibly moved Pope Benedict tried to assure his worldwide flock on Wednesday over his stunning decision to become the first pontiff in centuries to resign, saying he was confident that it would not hurt the Church.