Offstream
news

Pope Francis rules against ordaining married men as priests, a possible measure to counter the shortage of Catholic priests. He also ruled against allowing women to be ordained as deacons.
2020-02-12

The Two Popes film is released on Netflix just before the holiday season. It has a limited theatrical release during November in the United States and United Kingdom. Jonathan Pryce as Pope Francis gives a dramatic interpretation of a series of conversations that took place between the liberal cardinal and the conservative incumbent Pope Benedict (played by Anthony Hopkins).
2019-12-20

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asks Pope Francis for a public apology for the Roman Catholic Church's role in the abuse of indigenous children in the residential school system. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI issued an expression of sorrow after an audience with Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine.
2017-05-29

Pope Francis pleads for peace in a Christmas Mass in the Vatican.
2016-12-25

Pope Francis, in his annual pre-Christmas speech, urged the Roman Curia (cardinals and bishops who direct Holy See actions), to follow his "catalogue of virtues," e.g., to show more maturity, honesty, humility, and sobriety in their tasks. He listed "Curial antibiotics" to treat the "15 ailments of the Curia" he outlined last year and which still plague the Vatican.
2015-12-21

Pope Francis creates 19 new cardinals in a ceremony at St Peter's Basilica in Rome. In addition, the Pope emeritus Benedict XVI makes his first public appearance at the Vatican since his resignation in 2013.
2014-02-22

Pope Francis canonizes a record-breaking 800+ new Catholic Church saints - Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI had submitted the 813 "Martyrs of Otranto" who had been beheaded by Ottoman soldiers for refusing to convert to Islam.
2013-05-12

Newly elected Pope Francis meets his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI for lunch at the Papal Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the first time the two are meeting since the change of guard.
2013-03-23

Pope Benedict XVI delivers the annual Christmas message at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.
2011-12-25

A Christmas message by Pope Benedict XVI is broadcast by BBC Radio 4's "Thought for the Day" programme in the United Kingdom.
2010-12-24