Free for all

Go to Mass at most churches and you may get a copy of the parish bulletin as you exit.
But at Nationals Park yesterday, Massgoers could, if they so chose, get a copy of the 72-page special papal preview edition of the Catholic Standard, the Archdiocese of Washington’s weekly newspaper. And, if they were so inclined, [...]

Text of pope at ecumenical gathering

Here is the prepared text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s talk this evening at the ecumenical gathering at St. Joseph’s Church in New York:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
My heart abounds with gratitude to Almighty God - “the Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Eph [...]

Not lost in translation

To demonstrate the great cultural and multicultural vitality of the church, the prayer of the faithful is often recited in different languages.
Yesterday’s papal Mass in Washington was one of those instances. Six languages were used. Here are the English translations of the five Mass intentions not said in English, followed in parentheses by the language in which [...]

Text of pope at synagogue

Here is the prepared text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s remarks today at Park East Synagogue in New York:
Shalom! It is with joy that I come here, just a few hours before the celebration of your Pesah, to express my respect and esteem for the Jewish community in New York City. The proximity [...]

Abundant blessings

Before the final blessing during Pope Benedict XVI’s April 17 Mass in Washington, a deacon in the sanctuary told the assembled faithful that the pope would then impart an apostolic blessing on all articles the faithful had brought with them to Mass for that purpose. (He’ll do the same thing for Sunday’s Mass at Yankee Stadium, [...]

Bush reflects on his meeting with pope

Even President George W. Bush, who is accustomed to meeting with world leaders on the world’s biggest stages for the seven-plus years of his presidency, was humbled when he met with Pope Benedict XVI in the Oval Office this week.
Speaking to 2,000 guests at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast this morning, Bush talked about the [...]

Notes from a normal Catholic guy

After a long day writing at the press center and covering Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with interreligious leaders at the John Paul II Cultural Center, I needed to have a drink with my fiance. He had spent the day as one of the thousands of excited Catholics waiting to see the pope drive by The Catholic [...]

Text of pope to U.N. staff

Here is the prepared text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s greetings today to the staff of the United Nations:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here, within a small space in the busy city of New York, is housed an Organization with a worldwide mission to promote peace and justice. I am reminded of the similar contrast [...]

Text of pope to U.N. General Assembly

Here is the prepared text as released by the Vatican of Pope Benedict’s address to the U.N. General Assembly this morning:
[In French]
Mr President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As I begin my address to this Assembly, I would like first of all to express to you, Mr President, my sincere gratitude for your kind words. My thanks go also [...]

At the U.N., the wait begins

People (read: my mother) were pretty impressed I got assigned to cover the pope’s speech at the United Nations. Sounds pretty cool, right? What they don’t realize is that much of a reporter’s life is spent waiting around.
When my alarm buzzed this morning at 4:17, I concluded once and for all that God did not [...]