It was the second of two Vatican memorial Masses for Pope Benedict. On the evening of December 30, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 2012 to 2017, was the principal celebrant at a memorial Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope Benedict was elected to the papacy in 2005, resigned in 2013, and died on December 31, 2022, at the age of 95.

In a highly unusual decision, Pope Leo XIV yesterday appointed a Brazilian archbishop who resigned in 2019 to lead a new diocese.

“We believe the Proposed Rule conflicts with the dignity of the person and the common good that society is called to uphold,” the three Catholic signatories wrote in their letter. “We are deeply concerned that the Proposed Rule would penalize people for using programs Congress created to reduce hunger and homelessness and improve public health.”

The signatories added:

The rule threatens to: (a) worsen public health outcomes; (b) negatively impact family unity and stability; and (c) have damaging ripple effects on the nation’s economy ... We respectfully urge the Department to rescind this Proposed Rule in its entirety. In its current form, it is not only contrary to the law, but it will only further instill fear and confusion among immigrants and their U.S.-citizen family members.

Pope Leo XIV mourned the victims of a January 1 bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that left 40 dead and 119 injured.

The Holy See Press Office announced today that it will hold a press conference in which a Vatican official and four civil leaders will take stock of the 2025 jubilee year.

The Vatican today released a papal video message to American college students taking part in SEEK 2026, three conferences that are simultaneously taking place from January 1-5 in Ohio, Colorado, and Texas.