Category Archives: Popes

Quote for the Day – Papa Luciani

Posted on May 1, 2009 by Deacon Bob

(I am taking this quote out of a letter Papa Luciani (John Paul I) wrote to Bishop Hugh Aufderbeck who was the Apostolic Administrator of Erfurt-Meiningen in 1978.  The letter was sent in recognition of the 700th anniversary of the … Continue reading →

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Obedience, Freedom, and Happiness

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Obedience to God’s commandments, far from alienating us from our humanity, is the pathway to genuine liberation and the source of true happiness.” — John Paul II I have been reading John Paul II’s address to the bishops of Region … Continue reading →

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John Paul II and Democracy

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Deacon Bob

John Paul II on January 27, 1999 spoke during Vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.  The following is a quote: “And so America, If you want peace, work for justice.  If you want justice, defend … Continue reading →

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Anniversary of Pope Benedict’s Election

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Yesterday, April 19 marked the fifth anniversary of the Pope’s election.  I thought it might be good to post his very first words to the world after being announced by the cardinal deacon. My translation from the Italian original: “Jesus … Continue reading →

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Human Freedom and the Fundamental Option

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Pope John Paul II, in Veritatis Splendor made the following comments:  “There is no doubt that Christian moral teaching, even in its Biblical roots, acknowledges the specific importance of a fundamental choice which qualifies the moral life and engages freedom … Continue reading →

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Memories of John Paul II

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The fourth anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul II was a couple of days ago.  Maybe it is my age, but it does seem like he died just a few months ago.  I recall being in the cathedral, … Continue reading →

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Pope Benedict’s Apology

Posted on March 12, 2009 by Deacon Bob

As you may have heard today, Pope Benedict has issued a letter to all the bishops of the world regarding the Williamson issue. You recall, the Pope remitted the excommunications of four illicitly ordained bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988. … Continue reading →

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References by the Holy Father Today

Posted on March 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father just completed a retreat, conducted by Cardinal Arinze. In today’s Angelus address, Benedict talks about the experience and also about today’s Gospel reading on the Transfiguration. I have heard three different homilies on it in the past … Continue reading →

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A Glimpse at the Papacy of Pope John Paul the First?

Posted on March 3, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was reading Papa Luciani’s August 27, 1978 radiomessage to the world, searching for some hint as to what a lengthy Luciani papacy would have looked like.  A few things stand out in the first couple of pages of the message’s … Continue reading →

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Pelosi and the Pope

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I posted yesterday a segment of the Vatican’s statement regarding the meeting of the Pope with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.  Today, the Catholic News Service (CNS) is reporting that a statement was distributed by Pelosi’s staff regarding her visit with … Continue reading →

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Nancy Pelosi Meets the Holy Father

Posted on February 18, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and a Catholic, met with the Holy Father today at the Vatican.  Their conversation is not reported verbatim.  But the Sala Stampa, the Vatican’s news office reports today the following regarding … Continue reading →

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Papa Luciani and the Restoration of a Church

Posted on February 16, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Pope John Paul I, on September 28, 1978, the last day of his life, sent a letter to Msgr. Hugh Aufderbeck marking the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the building of the church of St. Serverus. It had recently … Continue reading →

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The Shoah and the Church

Posted on February 14, 2009 by Deacon Bob

From the address of Benedict XVI to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, given on February 12 this year: “The two-thousand-year history of the relationship between Judaism and the Church has passed through many different phases, some … Continue reading →

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Human Dignity

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Deacon Bob

St. Leo the Great had this to say about human dignity (translated from the Italian): “…Sinful humanity has found again innocence, the old man caught in sin has reacquired new life; the outcast has received adoption and the stranger has … Continue reading →

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Papa Luciani (John Paul I) and Pope Benedict

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Deacon Bob

For all you trivia buffs: I will bet that you didn’t know Pope John Paul I once sent then Cardinal Ratzinger to Ecuador as his personal Legate.  The city of Guayaquil, Ecuador was hosting a Marian Congress in honor of … Continue reading →

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