The Vatican

Welcome to our new Vatican page on the Saint Raphael Messenger. We will post selected videos from The Vatican's Channel on YouTube. You also can follow Benedict XVI's activities on his Internet page.


God calls us to be with Jesus and Mary: "Do not ask Jesus to come down from the cross, but stay with him." With this, the Pope addressed the 24 new cardinals created on Saturday, who concelebrated Mass with him Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica, on the Solemnity of Christ the King. Pope Benedict XVI gave the new cardinals the rings of their office, sealing their marriage pact with the Church, on which is a depiction of the crucifixion of Christ. The Holy Father said in his homily our first service is faith, believing that Jesus is God, who is the King because he has reached this point, because he loved us to the limit."


Speaking during the Angelus Prayer from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square, Pope Benedict said "Jesus, from the throne of the cross, welcomes everyone with infinite mercy." Recalling the solemnity of Christ the King that the Church celebrated Sunday at the conclusion of the liturgical year, the Pope explained that "on the Cross, Jesus is the 'height' of God who is Love."


Benedict on respecting human rights: "Over these days the international community is, with great concern, following the situation of Christians in Pakistan, who are often victims of violence or discrimination. In particular, I today express my spiritual closeness to Ms Asia Bibi and her family while asking that, as soon as possible, she may be restored to complete freedom. I also pray for people who find themselves in similar situations, that their human dignity and fundamental human rights may be fully respected."


The Eucharist, constantly forming in the Church, also creates fellowship among men, the Pope said Thursday, speaking at the Plenary of the Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses. The Committee is currently preparing for the next Congress in Dublin in 2012, which will take place on the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The Pope said the task of Eucharistic Congresses, especially in the current context, is to make a distinctive contribution to the new evangelization, the school of the Church in prayer, on the basis of the liturgy and through the liturgy.


The Pope in Spain: Every man is a true sanctuary of God, which should be treated with great respect and affection, especially when in need," Benedict XVI said in Barcelona.


Benedict XVI briefly met Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at Barcelona airport. They talked about the success of the visit and the government's cooperation with the Church in preparation for World Youth Day in Madrid in August 2011.


Pope Benedict XVI dedicated the Sagrada Familia church, a still-unfinished emblem of the Spanish city of Barcelona. "I consider that the dedication of this church of the Sagrada Familia is an event of great importance, at a time in which man claims to be able to build his life without God, as if God had nothing to say to him," the Pope said. He said the architect, Antoni Gaudi, through his work, sought to bring the Gospel to everyone.

"Believers are pilgrims on this earth, strangers on their way towards eternity." These were the words of Benedict XVI Thursday at a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for cardinals and bishops who have died during the past year.


"Let Jesus illuminate and clean our conscience," Benedict XVI said Wednesday during his general audience catechesis Wednesday, dedicated to St. Margaret of Oingt, a medieval French nun and mystic.