The election of the pope is surrounded by ceremony and traditions, honed over the centuries. In 1996, Pope John Paul II changed some of the rules and procedures for the next papal election. The pope, as always, is elected by the College of Cardinals. Only those under the age of eighty may vote. The...
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Why is the Vatican sometimes called the “Holy See”? A little background in ecclesiology will help explain why we call the Vatican the Holy See. The church is very structured and organized in its hierarchy. A diocese is a geographic area governed by a bishop appointed by the pope. Each diocese is further broken...
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How are the gifts of Pope Leo the Great seen in the church today? November 10 is the feast of St. Leo the Great, a doctor of the church and the first of three popes named “great.” As pope from 440 to 461, he was not only a great administrator but also a well-respected...
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