When Pope Benedict XVI embarks on his first trip to Africa as pontiff today, traveling to Cameroon and Angola, he will be visiting the future of the church, if not its present. ...more

March 17, 2009

Puffs of smoke, speeches in Latin and multipage encyclicals have all been used by the Vatican to communicate with the faithful. ...more

January 24, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI joined U.S. President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II on Friday by launching his own YouTube channel, the latest Vatican effort to reach out to the digital generation. ...more

January 23, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI gave World War II pontiff Pius XII a push toward possible sainthood Thursday and defended his memory from accusations that he did little to spare Jews from the Holocaust. ...more

October 10, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI, like many world leaders, has spoken passionately about the urgent need to protect the planet from climate catastrophe. But unlike his fellow heads of state, the pontiff has actually created a carbon-neutral economy - and done it inexpensively and quickly. ...more

July 20, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday that mankind's "insatiable consumption" has scarred the Earth and squandered its resources, telling followers that taking care of the planet is vital to humanity. ...more

July 18, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI departs today on a 10-day trip to Australia, the longest pilgrimage of his papacy and a test of the 81-year-old pontiff's stamina. ...more

July 12, 2008

Where else can you raise pinkies and money for the community's good? Two high teas will feature elegantly decorated tables, champagne, tea sandwiches, scones, gourmet breads, Viennese delicacy platters and, of course, various teas. While they are enjoying the treats in a luxury setting, women can learn how to help their community. ...more

June 14, 2008

The Turkish gunman who shot and wounded Pope John Paul II is applying for Polish citizenship because he wants to live in the country of the late pontiff, whom he called his "spiritual brother." ...more

May 3, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI will travel to the United States for the first time as pontiff next year to meet with President Bush, address the United Nations and visit ground zero, a Vatican official told American bishops Monday. ...more

November 13, 2007