Word: benediction
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...himself," writes Monsignor Slawomir Oder, the Polish prelate who collected testimony in his role as "postulator" for the Pope's canonization. "In his armoire, amid all the vestments and hanging on a hanger, was a belt which he used as a whip." (See pictures of President Obama meeting Pope Benedict...
...assassination attempt, the Pope updated details of the procedure "in the case of infirmity which is presumed incurable, long-lasting and which impedes me from sufficiently carrying out the functions of my apostolic ministry." He also charged his then doctrinal chief, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - now known as Pope Benedict XVI - to investigate the implications for the church of having a living "Pope Emeritus" while his successor tried to establish his reign. The vexed question of papal resignation has become increasingly important as a result of modern medicine's ability to potentially extend a Pontiff's life long past his ability...
...playing both sides is an ancient one. Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu, in his 4th century B.C. classic The Art of War, mentions double agents as a source of useful information. In 1779 infamous turncoat Benedict Arnold offered to surrender the fort at West Point to the British for £20,000. While his conspiracy was quickly discovered, that of Edward Bancroft, who spied both on and for Benjamin Franklin, didn't come to light for more than 100 years...
...which the authorities held back from stamping out the religion for good. Now detractors say that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his government allies are similarly seeking to gain public support by reclaiming relics of Russia's former greatness abroad to stoke patriotism among voters. (See pictures of Pope Benedict...
...While Di Segni has indicated he will speak about the Pius case during the service on Sunday, it is unclear whether Benedict will mention it, or details of his own experience as a teenager in Germany during World War II. In contrast to John Paul's willingness to talk about the war years, Benedict has offered scant recollections of his forced conscription into the Hitler Youth group. "I believe every elderly German has something worth telling Jews, and maybe also asking forgiveness," Pacifici says. (Read: "Benedict's Pope: Should Pius XII Become a Saint...