NEWS

This newspaper is heading into some uncharted territory (at least for us) in our coverage of Pope Benedict's first North American visit. First, we are experimenting with this blog and offering daily news coverage on the web site. And, second, we will be collaborating with Salt+Light TV , Canada's Catholic television network, to provide a richer Canadian perspective on the news.

This newspaper is heading into some uncharted territory (at least for us) in our coverage of Pope Benedict's first North American visit. First, we are experimenting with this blog and offering daily news coverage on the web site. And, second, we will be collaborating with Salt+Light TV , Canada's Catholic television network, to provide a richer Canadian perspective on the news.

{mosimage}CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Zimbabweans will risk their lives for change if they need to, a church official said nearly a week after the presidential election, when results still had not been announced.

{mosimage}TORONTO - Using her imagination and passion for the truth, Toronto-based author Claudette Francis takes the story of Christ’s resurrection to the courtroom in a fast-paced drama meant to inspire.

We already know tickets for one of the public events for Pope Benedict XVI are the hottest thing in town — and almost impossible to come by. But, even with as tightly scripted a schedule as there is planned for the papal visit to the United States, there's always a way to squeeze in some last-minute issues.

Witness the decision made by the Vatican to include two brief visits with American Jewish leaders. The New York Times reported April 4 that two new events have been included in Benedict XVI's schedule. In Washington April 17, after holding a meeting with other religious leaders at the John Paul II Cultural Centre, he will have a quick chat in a sideroom with about 50 Jewish representatives. The Times reports that he will offer greetings for the Jewish Passoover, which starts two days later.

We already know tickets for one of the public events for Pope Benedict XVI are the hottest thing in town — and almost impossible to come by. But, even with as tightly scripted a schedule as there is planned for the papal visit to the United States, there's always a way to squeeze in some last-minute issues.

Witness the decision made by the Vatican to include two brief visits with American Jewish leaders. The New York Times reported April 4 that two new events have been included in Benedict XVI's schedule. In Washington April 17, after holding a meeting with other religious leaders at the John Paul II Cultural Centre, he will have a quick chat in a sideroom with about 50 Jewish representatives. The Times reports that he will offer greetings for the Jewish Passoover, which starts two days later.

{mosimage}TORONTO - The 2008 ShareLife campaign is hoping to make up lost ground on the weekend of April 12-13 when the second collection takes place for the archdiocese of Toronto’s charitable appeal.

{mosimage}THORNHILL, Ont. - Fifty wax candles flickered in the semi-darkness of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Thornhill, Ont., on March 29. Aside from the candles, which congregants used to follow along in their song books, the only other light source came from a dim spotlight shining on the sanctuary’s large wooden cross.

{mosimage}OTTAWA - Catholic groups say Canada’s international reputation is jeopardized because the federal government has done nothing to ensure mining and oil and gas companies operate responsibly in developing countries.

{mosimage}CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Southern African church leaders urged Zimbabweans and their leaders to exercise restraint as results of the March 29 presidential and parliamentary elections were announced.