Word: vaticans
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...knew about beatification and canonization--but when did animation become one of the stages en route to sainthood? Last week the Vatican released John Paul II: Friend of All Humanity, an earnest if weirdly drawn educational cartoon for children about the adored Pontiff. The Pope isn't the only one getting a pop-cultural makeover. Religious figures from various faiths are everywhere--on the big screen, prancing across the stage, even in comic books. Here's a look...
That singular Roman dialect known as Vaticanese can sometimes turn so vague as to be incomprehensible. But on Friday, when French Cardinal Paul Poupard presented the Vatican's annual message for the end of Ramadan, there was no doubt about what was meant by the "particular circumstances" that had heightened interest in what is usually a boilerplate goodwill missive. Five weeks since Pope Benedict XVI's speech in Germany about faith, reason and violence provoked a backlash among some Muslims, the wheels of Vatican diplomacy are still working overtime to "placate the souls," as Benedict himself...
...religion of Islam's Prophet Muhammad as "things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." The Pope has since clarified that he does not agree with those words, and has repeatedly expressed his esteem for Muslims. Says a senior Vatican official: "We always say that when the house is on fire, the first thing to do is put out the fire." Still, there is a sense that something is changing in Rome, which for decades has focused all dialogue with other faiths on "finding common ground." Asked at Friday...
...Vatican officials cite a recent letter the Pope received from 38 Muslim intellectuals, which responds to his September speech with detailed arguments. "An exchange on the theme of reason and religion has been launched," Poupard said. Benedict's decision of how and when to return to his talking frankly on the subject is a delicate balancing act. Some in the Vatican hope he continues his post-Regensburg conciliatory tone during his trip in late November to Turkey, noting that any misstep could be explosive in a country that is 98% Muslim. Others say it is a unique opportunity to speak...
...Vatican II standards loosened...