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Faith

Pope Benedict XVI addresses the College of Cardinals at the Vatican Feb. 28, the final day of his papacy. In attendance were 144 cardinals, including many of the 115 younger than 80 who are eligible and expected to vote in the upcoming conclave.

Pope Benedict pledges obedience to next pope 

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VATICAN CITY - The Clementine Hall is traditionally where cardinals gather to bid farewell to popes at the end of a pontificate, but usually it happens when the pope is lying in state before his funeral.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, top, is thought to be a leading candidate to succeed Pope Benedict XVI.

Could a Canadian be the next pope?

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Cardinal Ouellet high on many lists to succeed Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict changes rituals for new pope's inauguration

Pope Benedict changes rituals for new pope's inauguration

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI has ordered several changes to the Masses and liturgies that will mark the inauguration of the next pope's pontificate.

This is a detail view of the oath in Latin that each cardinal elector takes before the start of the conclave. Placing a hand on the Gospels, each elector swears to uphold the rules and secrecy of the conclave. This copy is from a collection of documents retained by U.S. Cardinal William H. Keeler from the 2005 conclave.

Canonist explains 'rigid, highly formal' rules for electing pope

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VATICAN CITY - The voting by cardinals to elect the next pope takes place behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, following a highly detailed procedure that underwent major revisions by Blessed John Paul II and a small, but very significant change, by Pope Benedict XVI.

The priest, acting in the person of Christ, can absolve a person of their sins with their contrition, confession and penance.

Tips to help Catholics return to sacrament of Confession

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WASHINGTON - After “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned” there are millions of Catholics who don’t exactly know what to say next.

A Lenten media fast — or not

A Lenten media fast — or not

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TORONTO - Which is the fast God prefers for a 21st-century Lent? In a media-saturated age, it makes sense to desaturate our souls with a media fast, suggests Salt+Light Radio media correspondent Mark Matthews.

Pope Benedict XVI waves after celebrating Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 13. The service was expected to be the last large liturgical event of Pope Benedict's papacy. The pope announced Feb. 11 that he will resign at the end of the mont

On Ash Wednesday, Pope preaches on humility, Christian unity 

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VATICAN CITY - Celebrating what was expected to be the last public liturgy of his pontificate two weeks before his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI preached on the virtues of humility and Christian unity and heard his highest-ranking aide pay tribute to his service to the Church.

Willem and Florence Schurman will celebrate Valentine’s Day as a married couple of 71 years and counting.

A lasting lesson in love

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A mother’s advice helps keep couple together for seven decades

Ash Wednesday, the Lenten journey begins

Ash Wednesday, the Lenten journey begins

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TORONTO - Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the first day of the Lenten season for Christians throughout the Greater Toronto Area and around the world. In Catholic churches in the archdiocese of Toronto, the faithful will gather today to participate in the distribution of ashes — a tradition that has united Christians together in their faith for more than a millennium.

Ryan Worms, at a refugee camp in Niger, intend to fast for the 40 days of Lent in solidarity with the poor and hungry in the Global South.

Fast in solidarity with world’s hungry

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‘Live simply so that others may simply live’

Don't worry about being imperfect when called to vocation, Pope says 

Don't worry about being imperfect when called to vocation, Pope says 

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VATICAN CITY - Men and women called to a religious vocation should not worry about being imperfect but should trust in God to transform their lives, said Pope Benedict XVI.

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