Vivat Papa Americanus! Reflections from an American Seminarian in St. Peter’s Square
Vivat Papa Americanus! I was away from Rome on Easter break when I received the news of Pope Francis’ passing, and I was shocked since he had given his blessing to the whole world just the day bef...
Papal Inauguration Q&A: What Catholics Should Know
What is a papal inauguration, and how is it different from a coronation? The papal inauguration is the formal Mass that marks the beginning of a newly elected pope’s ministry. Unlike medieval times...
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." -Matthew 16:18 "Habemus Papam!" What a wonderful moment to be Catholi...
“If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he [should] desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confide...
How The World Will Learn We Have A New Pope: White Smoke And The Words "Habemus Papam!"
The air in St. Peter’s Square was damp with winter chill. Hundreds of Romans gathered silently beneath the shadow of the basilica, their eyes fixed on the modest chimney that crowned the Sistine Ch...
After the Death of a Pope: A Guide for the Faithful
When a pope dies, the Catholic Church enters a sacred time of mourning, reflection, and preparation. For the faithful, the death of the Holy Father is not just the loss of a spiritual leader, but t...