Catholic Fire

At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis announced the names of fifteen Archbishops and Bishops whom he will raise to the dignity of the Cardinalate on February 14, 2015. In addition, the Holy Father announced that five retired Archbishops and Bishops “distinguished for their pastoral charity in the service of the Holy See and of the Church” would also be made Cardinals. Below, please find the complete text of the Pope’s announcement, with the names of all those set to be elevated to the Cardinalate: “As was already announced, on February 14 next I will have the joy of holding a Concistory, during which I will name 15 new Cardinals who, coming from 14 countries from every continent, manifest the indissoluble links between the Church of Rome and the particular Churches present in the world. “On Sunday February 15 I will preside at a solemn concelebration with the new Cardinals, while on February 12 and 13 I will hold a Consistory with all the Cardinals to reflect on the orientat...

There was an unexpected guest in this consistory. Benedict XVI attended his first public ceremony as Pope Emeritus, sitting in the front row of St. Peter's Basilica. Wearing his white coat, he stood out amid all the cardinals wearing red. Pope Francis arrived a few minutes afterwards Breaking protocol, he walked over to Benedict XVI and hugged him. Pietro Parolin, who serves as Secretary of State, and who is also among the 19 new cardinals, greeted Benedict XVI. CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN Holy See's Secretary of State "With the same affection and reverence, we greet our Pope Emeritus, His Holiness Benedict XVI. We're glad you're here with us.” In his speech, the Pope outlined what the Church expects and needs from the new cardinals. POPE FRANCIS "The Church needs your courage, to proclaim the Gospel at all times, both  in season and out of season, and to bear witness to the truth. The  Church needs your compassion, especially at this time of pain and...

What a wonderful gift from God we have in our new Pope Francis! He is such a warm, wise, loving and humble man! Thank you, Lord, for our dear Papa Francis! March 15, 2013. (Romereports.com) On Friday, Pope Francis had his official greeting with Cardinals. He had a brief speech prepared, but he frequently stopped adding spontaneous and improvised comments. This is the style that's marking the beginning of Pope Francis' pontificate. The Pontiff actually stumbled after greeting Cardinal Angelo Sodano, but he reacted quickly and recovered his balance. He thanked the Cardinals for the all the conversations they had leading up to the Conclave and especially the day when he was elected Pope in the Sistine Chapel. He said the Holy Spirit has a role that can't be denied. POPE FRANCIS “It's interesting and it makes me think that it's the Holy Spirit that makes a difference in the Church. The Paraclete seems to be an apostle of Babel, yet it unites all these differen...

After five days of meetings, the College of Cardinals has voted to hold a conclave to elect the next Pope on Tuesday, March 12. "The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013," Father Federico Lombardi said in a March 8 message to reporters. The cardinals will celebrate a Mass For the Election of a New Pope in St. Peter's Basilica in the morning and "in the afternoon the cardinals will enter into the Conclave," he confirmed. Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam arrived in Rome on Thursday afternoon and with his presence the College of Cardinals reached its full number. The cardinals were able to choose an earlier date than was previously allowed under Church regulations because Benedict XVI issued a declaration to make that possible. In the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict XVI as Pope, there were 115 cardinals voting and that number is the...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - The College of Cardinals began their formal pre-conclave meetings March 4 with 142 members present, 103 of whom are under the age of 80 and eligible to enter the conclave to vote for a new pope. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said the cardinals did not set a date for the conclave to begin and were unlikely to set a date until the 115 cardinal-electors expected were all present and until the cardinals felt confident they knew how much time they wanted for discussions beforehand. One of the first decisions made by the cardinals was to authorize the drafting of a message to Pope Benedict XVI, Father Lombardi said. He did not know when the text would be completed and approved. The cardinals also voted to listen that evening to Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household, give the first of two meditations required by church law before a conclave. The rules for electing a pope require the cardinals to choose two ch...

March 1, 2013. (Romereports.com) In his first hours as Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI was very serene and calm. After saying farewell from his balcony, he had dinner, prayed and took a walk. According to the Vatican's spokesman, he also slept quite well.   “I spoke with  Benedict XVI's secretary over the phone, and he told me the Pope was very calm, relaxed and had slept very well. He told me this with a very friendly tone of voice, which gives me the impression that it has been a time of peace for him,” said father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican's spokesman. With the Pope's resignations all heads of Vatican Departments temporarily lose their posts. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who is also the so called chamberlain is responsible for the management and day to day affairs of the Holy See until a new Pope is elected. Through a letter, all nunciatures have been officially informed about Benedict XVI's resignation. His Papal apartment was sealed as was the elevator...

Via EWTN/CNA News: Echoing the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, Cardinal Angelo Sodano told Pope Benedict that the cardinals’ hearts “burned when walking with you in the past eight years.” 
 “Yes, Holy Father, I know that our hearts that burned when walking with you in the past eight years. Today we want to once again express our gratitude. We repeat in chorus a typical expression of his dear native land ‘Vergelt's Gott,’ which means
 God reward you!” Cardinal Sodano said on behalf of the cardinals. Read more

February 11, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Pope is unable to continue. He made the announcement today to the cardinals gathered in Rome. On February 28 at 8 p.m. Benedict XVI will no longer be Pope. That date will kick off the sede vacante, or vacant seat. According to canon law, within 20 days the cardinals must meet in conclave to elect the new Pope. In the Vatican statement the Pope read in Latin to his cardinals, he explained that, “In order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.” His resignation is a rare occasion for the Catholic Church, as only three other Popes have resigned in their time, Celestine V, Clement I and Gregory XII. Starting at 8 p.m. on the last day of February, all posts within the Vatican will remain vacant until a new Pop...

February 8, 2013. (Romereports.com) During its plenary session, the Pontifical Council for Culture made it a point to discuss some of the issues and problems young people are dealing with. Cardinals attending the meeting said that speaking to the youth, listening to their issues, and offering a different point of view, brought them closer to some of the challenges younger generations face.  Read more.