Palm Sunday around the world
Palm Sunday is the beginning of the Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, when his followers laid palm branches in his path, prior to his crucifixion.
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The day in photos around the world.
Pope Francis delivers first Christmas Day address
In his first Christmas as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis used his “Urbi et Orbi” address to call for an end to the conflict in South Sudan and peace worldwide.
Pope Francis visits Brazil in first overseas trip since election
Pope Francis made the first overseas trip of his papacy this week, heading to Brazil mainly to preside over the five-day celebration of World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. While visiting a country rocked by protests that began last month, the first Latin American pontiff chastised the Brazilian government for not doing enough to help poor residents.
Pope Francis’ inauguration mass draws thousands to Vatican
Six days after Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the new head of the Catholic Church, the newly dubbed Pope Francis was formally installed as the church’s next pontiff. Addressing thousands of people at his inauguration mass at the Vatican, the first Latin American pope delivered a homily on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Argentine cardinal elected as new pope, named Pope Francis
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the new pope by the Papal conclave on Wednesday. His selected name: Pope Francis. He is the first Jesuit to become pope.
A new pope’s new clothes
After meeting to discuss issues, the Catholic Church’s cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday afternoon to elect a new pope. Meanwhile, near the Pantheon in Rome, the tailors at Gammarelli will make preparations of their own.
For 200 years, the ecclesiastical tailors have been creating garb for bishops, cardinals, pontiffs and priests. As Catholics await the announcement of the Vatican’s next leader, Gammarelli is expected to be already creating papal garb — in small, medium and large sizes so whoever is chosen will get the right fit.
How to pick a pope: Scenes from Pope Benedict’s election
Sometime in March – Vatican rules seem to indicate March 15 – an estimated 115 Catholic cardinals will enter the Sistine Chapel to deliberate and elect the next head of the Roman Catholic Church. The proceedings of this papal conclave will be kept secret while crowds gather outside awaiting the announcement of the 266th pontiff. To get a better idea of the proceedings, take a look at these photos from the election of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005.
Pope Benedict XVI’s final weekly public audience at Vatican City
Masses of pilgrims queued to enter St. Peter’s Square to hear Pope Benedict XVI’s final weekly public audience in Vatican City, Vatican on Wednesday. The Pontiff attended his last weekly public audience before stepping down tomorrow. The weekly event, which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, was moved outdoors to St. Peter’s Square so more people can attend. Pope Benedict XVI had been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements.