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The Pope on financial crisis: "Money is nothing"
The international cash crisis has shown that the foundations of the financial system were shaky, Pope Benedict XVI said Monday.
Taking his cue from a famous Bible parable on false prophets, the pope said: "He who builds only on visible and tangible things like success, career and money, he builds the house of his life on sand."
"We are now seeing, in the collapse of major banks, that money vanishes, it is nothing," the pope said at a televised Bible reading.
"All these things that appear to be real are in fact secondary. Only God's words are a solid reality."
Msgr Claudia Maria Celli, head of the Vatican's culture department, told reporters the Catholic Church doesn't have solutions to the crisis because they would be outside its remit.
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Thank you, Benedict, I'm sure your boss will not fire you after this speech.
By the way, is that a solid gold cross you're holding? The international cash crisis has shown that the foundations of the financial system were shaky, Pope Benedict XVI said Monday. ... more -
Pope Benedict's First trip to France
Hundreds of thousands of French followers turned out to greet Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to the country known as the eldest daughter of catholicism. Also in our weekly show: Sarkozy gets a poll boost, while Le Pen calls it a day.
Also French President Sarkozy raises in polls and French far right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen to retire. Le Pen wants to do away with the Euro.
---Video and More at Link--- Hundreds of thousands of French followers turned out to greet Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to the country known as the eldest ... more -
ABC News: Five Years for a Joke About the Pope?
Italian Actress Faces Possible Five-Year Jail Term for Off-Color Joke About Pope
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Pope reasserts stance on euthanasia - The Vatican- msnbc.com
Pope Benedict XVI urged ailing pilgrims to accept death "at the hour chosen by God," reasserting the Vatican's opposition to euthanasia on Monday at an open-air Mass for the sick in Lourdes. Pope Benedict XVI urged ailing pilgrims to accept death "at the hour chosen by God," reasserting the Vatican's oppositi... more
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Pope arrives in France for first visit
Pope Benedict XVI urged France to take Christianity into account despite its secular tradition, saying Friday on his first visit there as pontiff that church and state should be open to each other.
The four-day trip will take the pope from the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris to the Roman Catholic shrine in Lourdes. Benedict, who has said he comes to France as a "messenger of peace and brotherhood," was greeted at Orly airport outside the capital by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
While in Paris, the pope will also address a group that includes Muslim leaders on the second anniversary of a speech that heightened tensions with much of the Islamic world.
France is wrestling with its changing religious landscape and how to reconcile it with the secularism that underpins the modern French Republic.
On the plane, Benedict expressed understanding for France's long tradition of separating church and state, but added that, nonetheless, "Religion and politics must be open to each other." Pope Benedict XVI urged France to take Christianity into account despite its secular tradition, saying Friday on his first visit there... more -
Pope slams crucified frog
Pope Benedict XVI has condemned a metre-high sculpture of a crucified frog by German artist Martin Kippenberger. The work is currently on display at a museum in Bolzano, North Italy.
"In a letter dated August 7, Benedict said the sculpture 'has injured the religious feeling of many people who see in the cross the symbol of the love of God and of our salvation which deserves recognition and religious devotion.'
The amphibian, which according to the museum curators represents a self-portrait of the artist 'in a state of profound crisis,' is said to have shocked many visitors.
Does it offend you? Pope Benedict XVI has condemned a metre-high sculpture of a crucified frog by German artist Martin Kippenberger. The work is currently... more -
Knights Templar 'heirs' sue Pope for billions
A group of people claiming to be the heirs of the legendary Knights Templar are suing Pope Benedict XVI, seeking more than $150 billion for assets seized by the Catholic Church seven centuries ago. A group of people claiming to be the heirs of the legendary Knights Templar are suing Pope Benedict XVI, seeking more than $150 billio... more
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Vatican: Pope makes fur fly over revival of ermine robes
Pope Benedict's fondness for fur trim on his hats and capes has come under fire from an Italian animal rights group, which has launched an online petition to persuade the pontiff to switch to synthetics.
Benedict has taken a traditional approach to papal formal wear to match his conservative views on liturgy and theology, reviving the camauro, an ermine-trimmed red velvet hat favored by 17th-century popes and last worn by Pope John XXIII in the 1960s, as well as donning a cape trimmed with ermine, which is the white winter coat of the stoat.
But his use of ermine, long favored by kings, judges and nobles, has drawn the ire of the Italian Association for the Defense of Animals and the Environment, which had by yesterday gathered 2,260 signatures for its petition. "The pope has often talked about protecting the environment and we are asking that he acknowledges that animals, as God's creation, also deserve respect," said the organization's head, Lorenzo Croce.
Benedict's use of fur was defended yesterday by Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo. "Aren't there more important battles to wage?" he asked. "There are human beings who merit more urgent assistance that no one is taking care of. And if we eat animals, we can wear them."
Animal lovers signing the petition may be hoping that a pope known for his fondness for cats may eventually extend his love of animals to stoats and weasels.
In an interview in 2000, before becoming pope, Benedict said he opposed factory farming and the fattening of geese to make foie gras. "Animals too are God's creatures," he said, "creatures we must respect as companions in creation and as important elements in creation." Pope Benedict's fondness for fur trim on his hats and capes has come under fire from an Italian animal rights group, which has la... more -
New al-Qaeda video urges Saudi king's killing for dialogue with Pope
"Al-Qaeda Number 3, Abu Yahya al-Libi has issued a new video urging the killing of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah for his moves towards inter-faith dialogue with Pope Benedict XVI.
A photo of King Abdullah and Benedict XVI taken during Abdullah's historic visit to the Vatican last November has been posted with the video to publicise it on Islamist websites.
A caption beneath the photo repeats part of al-Libi's video message. It reads: 'He (Abdullah) has made religion a joke and has done so in public with Jews, Christians and Muslims. He has thrown those fighting for Islamism into jail...and has fraternised with those who have offended the Prophet, notably the adulator of the Cross, the Vatican's Pope.'
Al-Libi concludes the message with a call to kill King Abdullah for having betrayed Islam.
The Libyan-born militant is believed to have fought alongside al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Afghanistan." "Al-Qaeda Number 3, Abu Yahya al-Libi has issued a new video urging the killing of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah for his move... more -
Critics ask Pope to end contraception ban
The contraception issue is arguably a source of great conflict and division in the Church. On the 40th anniversary of the encyclical which enshrined the ban, 50 dissident Catholic groups bought a half-page advertisement on Italy's largest newspaper urging the Pope to reconsider the ban for the sake of HIV prevention.
"Published in Italian, the letter said the Catholic Church's policy has had "a catastrophic impact on the poor and powerless around the world, endangering women's lives and leaving millions at risk of HIV."
"Most Catholics use modern contraception, believing it is a moral choice while considering themselves practising Catholics, and yet the Catholic hierarchy completely denies this reality, forcing priests to remain silent about this and many other topics linked to sexuality," the letter said."
Do you think the Pope should reconsider the ban or be coherent with his predecessors' choices? The contraception issue is arguably a source of great conflict and division in the Church. On the 40th anniversary of the encyclical w... more -
Pope says sorry for 'evil' of clergy sex abuse
Pope Benedict XVI apologized Saturday to victims of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, describing their acts as "evil" and a grave betrayal of trust.
"I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country," Benedict said during an address at a Mass in Australia.
"I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured," the pope said. "I assure them as their pastor that I too share in their suffering."
He said those responsible for these "evils must be brought to justice."
Support groups for victims of church abuse in Australia, whose numbers are not known but who activists say are in the thousands, had demanded the pope make a full and open apology for clergy abuse and do more to prevent future abuse.
There was no immediate word whether Benedict would meet with victims of clergy abuse, as he did during his trip to the United States in April, when he also expressed his shame for the scandal. Pope Benedict XVI apologized Saturday to victims of child sex abuse by Roman Catholic clergy, describing their acts as "evil"... more -
Pope indicates Australia may get its first saint; Vatican looks at evidence of mir...
Australians may finally be about to get their first saint.
During a visit to a chapel devoted to Mary MacKillop, who is celebrated for her work caring for children in rural towns across the country last century, nuns said Pope Benedict XVI indicated MacKillop was approaching final judgment on her canonization.
MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995 after the Vatican determined she miraculously cured a woman suffering from leukemia. But the Vatican needs confirmation of a second miracle in order to make her a saint. Australians may finally be about to get their first saint. ... more -
Pope sorry for sex scandal
"Pope Benedict XVI has said he will apologise for decades of sexual abuse of children by Australian priests.
As he headed to Australia on the longest foreign trip of his papacy, he said that paedophilia was "incompatible" with being a priest. Abuse victims have said they will hold protest rallies during his visit.
The Pope is also expected to use the trip to discuss climate change, telling reporters that people must find an ethical way to change their lifestyles.
Climate change will be a theme of a major Catholic youth festival, World Youth Day, which the Pope is heading.
The event is expected to draw some 200,000 young Catholics to Sydney.
But the six-day event has been overshadowed by the launch of an investigation into sexual abuse allegations.
The leader of Australia's Catholics, Cardinal George Pell, has come under criticism for his handling of a 1982 case allegedly involving the sexual abuse of minors by a priest." "Pope Benedict XVI has said he will apologise for decades of sexual abuse of children by Australian priests. ... more -
Berlusconi and oral sex, the Pope and gay devils
Yesterday almost 100,000 people gathered in Rome to protest against the Italian government and "a parliament compelled to make laws that make Berlusconi unpunishable".
During the anti-government rally, two comedians made personal attacks on the Pope, President Giorgio Napolitano and the Minister for Equal Opportunties Mara Carfagna.
Guzzanti provoked the most ire by attacking Pope Benedict XVI, saying that ''in 20 years he'll be dead and he'll go to hell to be tormented by two gay devils''.
She also gave voice to recent rumours about Equal Opportunities Minister Mara Carfagna by alleging that the ex-showgirl had had oral sex with Premier Silvio Berlusconi in return for political promotion.
Grillo meanwhile attacked Napolitano for giving a green light to a government bill that would give legal immunity to Berlusconi.
The two comedians won the crowd's ovations by telling the president to f*** off. Yesterday almost 100,000 people gathered in Rome to protest against the Italian government and "a parliament compelled to make la... more -
Sydney brothels see boom during Pope's visit
As Sydney prepares for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI and 225,000 young pilgrims, the city's brothels are readying themselves for an expected surge in demand for sex.
"The World Council of Churches, when they had their congress in Canberra back in the 1990s, was the best business period ever", says Sydney brothel manager.
The Eros Association, Australia's adult industry group, said sex shops and brothels across Sydney are expecting "huge turnover" during World Youth Day.
"We know the kind of people who visit prostitutes and adult shops, many of them do it because of their own personal repression," Eros spokesman Robbie Swan told AFP. "And often it's because of religion. Our industry is the forbidden fruit industry."
Picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/princesselena/2635192332/ As Sydney prepares for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI and 225,000 young pilgrims, the city's brothels are readying themselves for a... more -
Yankee Stadium Becomes Pope's Pulpit
Pope Benedict delivered mass at Yankee Stadium today on the final day of his first visit to America. He didn't leave before putting a few words in for unborn babies by urging Americans to use their rights wisely and resist resorting to abortion. Pope Benedict delivered mass at Yankee Stadium today on the final day of his first visit to America. He didn't leave before putti... more
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Pope tells of youth under Nazis
Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out for the first time about growing up under the "monster" of Nazism.
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Pope's Red Shoes - Remindes me of Dorthea of Wizard and Oz
Pope Benedict XVI, sporting his handmade red loafers, steps onto U.S. soil at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Md. Getty Images
All Things Considered, April 17, 2008 · Pope Benedict XVI's ruby red shoes are drawing plenty of attention as he visits Washington, D.C. The handmade loafers, crafted for Benedict by an Italian shoemaker, are seen as a statement of his desire to demonstrate continuity with the symbols and history of the church. Although Pope John Paul II often wore brown shoes, other pontiffs have also worn red shoes. Benedict's shoes also serve as a reminder of the many years he wore the red cloth of a cardinal.
Lawrence Cunningham, professor of theology at Notre Dame University, offers more insights on why the pontiff favors the color in a conversation with Michele Norris. Pope Benedict XVI, sporting his handmade red loafers, steps onto U.S. soil at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Md. Getty Images... more -
Gay Group Greets Pope
The gay Catholic group Dignity Washington greeted the Pope as his motorcade drove past.
The group claims the pope looked directly at them as they held a banner reading, "Dignity Washington — Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Catholics, Our Families and Friends — A community of Faith in Action.” The gay Catholic group Dignity Washington greeted the Pope as his motorcade drove past. ... more -
Happy B-Day, Pope!
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI in an elaborate ceremony Wednesday morning on the South Lawn of the White House. The day marked the pontiff's 81st birthday and as such after the formal welcoming ceremony concluded those in attendance serenaded Benedict with the singing of "Happy Birthday." President Bush and first lady Laura Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI in an elaborate ceremony Wednesday morning on the South Lawn of th... more
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Pope Benedict XVI
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Pope Benedict XVI
