Archbishop Timothy Dolan was in a heavenly mood today after learning that Pope Benedict named him one of the Vatican's newest cardinals. In a statement, he said, "I am honored, humbled and grateful ... but, let's be frank. This is not about Timothy Dolan. This is an honor from the Holy Father to the Archdiocese of New York and to all our cherished friends and neighbors who call this great community home. It's as if Pope Benedict is putting the red hat on top of the Empire State Building, or the Statue of Liberty, or on home plate at Yankee Stadium, or on the spires of St. Patrick's Cathedral." more ›

84-year-old Maybelline eyeshadow spokesperson and current head of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI is closing in on his 85th birthday, and Pope-watchers say that he is growing increasingly frail and weak. He's reduced his schedule of public speeches, has stopped meeting visiting bishops individually, and has taken to using a moving platform to make the 100 meter journey to the altar in St. Peter's Cathedral. more ›

Per an official decree, English-speaking Catholics will now recite certain portions of the mass that are closer to the original Latin translation, in the most earth-shattering changes to Mass since its English translation more than 40 years ago. Some are upset because the translation was meant to fulfill the goal of a more "shared liturgy" with other Christian denominations. Plus, it kind of snaps you out of your peaceful trance when the same thing you've been incanting for four decades is changed. But according to the Times, Corpus Christi Church in Morningside Heights has been giving the ecumenical finger to the Vatican since the 60s, and in effect, the church is catching up to them. Who's the cafeteria Catholic, now? more ›

Do you want to see the infallible head of the world's largest Christian church and ex-Hitler Youth member use an iPad? Are you dying to know what the Pope is doing right this second? Good news! Pope Benedict XVI received an iPad to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination, and he even Tweeted on the Vatican's news account! Watch the former Cardinal Ratzinger act like one of those confused-but-giddy adults in an Apple store below. more ›

St. Patrick's Cathedral was "standing-room-only" yesterday at a thanksgiving mass led by Cardinal Egan celebrating the beatification of Pope John Paul II, the Daily News reports. Several New Yorkers in attendance were quoted as saying that "he deserved to be a saint," and that "it's a very cool thing--he was a very spiritual man." We assume the Vatican's HR department would screen out all of those "non-spiritual" papal applications (notable exception: Pope Dwayne "Boogie" Williams, also known as "The Surfer Pope" of the 12th century). more ›

At midnight, Archbishop Timothy Dolan held Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, drawing an audience of hundreds, including Mayor Bloomberg, Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo and Police Commission Ray Kelly. Archbishop Dolan said, “A blessed Christmas to everyone. We are all home for Christmas here at St. Patrick’s cathedral. This holds true for silent night," and "We desperately try to fill up what's missing, while the root of every anguish is that we ignore the only one who can really fill that void: God." more ›

At churches around the world, the beautiful tradition of midnight mass on Christmas Eve is being watered down by wusses who get too sleepy waiting up to 12 a.m. to celebrate their savior's birthday. Even in the Vatican, they're clocking in early with a 10 p.m. mass, just so Catholics can go beddy-bye after phoning in a quick Feliz Navidad to the Messiah they believe died for their sins. But not in New York City, baby! At St. Patrick's Cathedral, ballin' Archbishop Timothy Dolan still gets down with God after midnight. more ›

When Pope Benedict made those somewhat confusing remarks saying that condoms could be used by male prostitutes to stop the spread of HIV, people thought, "Hey, what about the female sex workers?" Now it turns out that Pope Benedict thinks that the use of condoms by both men and women to prevent AIDS is a-okay! The Vatican spokesman said, "I personally asked the Pope if there was a serious, important problem in the choice of the masculine over the feminine. He told me no... It's the first step of taking responsibility, of taking into consideration the risk of the life of another with whom you have a relationship. ... This is if you're a woman, a man, or a transsexual." more ›

Yesterday, excerpts of a book-length interview that Pope Benedict granted to a German journalist were printed, and one of the observations was that the Pontiff said that condoms could be used in some cases, such as for male prostitutes to reduce the risk of HIV infection. As AIDS activists cheer the Pope's stance, the Vatican claims this is not a change in papal outlook. And some Catholic New Yorkers wonders why he has to remain so selective. more ›

Preceding today's Easter's Mass at the Vatican, Pope Benedict didn't reference the various scandals around the world involving abusive priests (unlike his Palm Sunday address), but another cleric did. According to the NY Times, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, a former secretary of state and the dean of the college of cardinals, said, "Holy Father, the people of God are with you, and do not let themselves be impressed by the gossip of the moment, by the challenges that sometimes strike at the community of believers." more ›

On Good Friday a Vatican priest compared recent criticism of the Catholic church to anti-Semitism, drawing ire from Jewish groups and advocates for victims of sexual abuse. Just like the “collective violence” that the Jews have endured the church has come under attack, observed Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa, supposedly quoting a letter from an unnamed Jewish friend. In front of an audience that included the pope, he continued: "'The use of stereotypes, the shifting of personal responsibility and guilt to a collective guilt remind me of the most shameful aspects of anti-Semitism.’" more ›

As the Vatican weathered another week of criticism of its handling of abusive priests, Pope Benedict said in his Palm Sunday address today, "From God comes the courage not to be intimidated by petty gossip." The UK's Telegraph reports, "Although he did not directly mention the crisis that has seen claims of abuse from Ireland, Germany, Austria, Holland and Brazil the 82 year old Pontiff's message was evidently clear"—previously, the Vatican has accused the media of trying to smear the Pontiff. more ›

As the Vatican reels from scandals involving priests molesting children in Germany and Ireland, the NY Times reports that the Vatican did not react to letters from Wisconsin church officials regarding a priest who molested hundreds of deaf boys. And when the church officials attempted to start proceedings that could have led to the priest's dismissal, the Vatican halted the trial. more ›

Two days after being tackled by a woman inside St. Peter's Basilica before Christmas Eve mass, Pope Benedict XVI "appeared in good shape" as he spoke to followers from a window at the Vatican today. However, the Vatican is deciding whether or not to press charges against the young woman and will be reviewing its papal security. more ›

It's turns out the woman who tackled Pope Benedict XVI as he walked down the aisle of St. Peter's Basilica for Christmas Eve mass is the same woman who tried to approach him last year. The NY Times reports that, according to the Vatican, "Susanna Maiolo, 25, a Swiss and Italian citizen with a history of mental problems...tried to leap at the pope after Midnight Mass last year, before security guards stopped her." This year, she was successful, leaping over barriers to the shocked gasps of others gathered: more ›

During Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI was tackled by a woman who jumped a barrier. The pope was apparently unhurt, though shaken.The NY Times reports, per a Vatican spokesman, "the pope quickly got back on his feet and celebrated Mass before thousands of people, urging them in his homily to become 'truly vigilant people.' Television images showed a woman in red leap toward Benedict as he began to walk up the central aisle, as the police and bodyguards scrambled to the aide of the 82-year-old pope." more ›

This week reports have been coming in that the Vatican has forgiven John Lennon, which, you know, may have been more appropriate before he died 28 years ago. Lennon’s 1966 remark that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” was regarded by certain religious folks as "the ultimate blasphemy." Beatles records burned! Sensational headlines ran in the papers! Everyone overreacted! However, "with semi-official Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano using the 40th anniversary of The White Album to expunge Lennon of his sins," it seems all has been forgiven. Well, goddammit, that took long enough didn't it! Their reasoning? “[This was] showing off, bragging by a young English working-class musician who had grown up in the age of Elvis Presley and rock and roll and had enjoyed unexpected success”. more ›

7. Creating povertySo, was this list drawn up in anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's April trip to the United States? more ›