Martin Luther, Gregor Mendel and Abraham a Sancta Clara also came from the order founded by the new pope in 1256. Pope Leo XIV is the first pope to come from the Augustinian order, a Catholic order rich in tradition with a history of more than 750 years. The Ordo Fratrum Sancti Augustini (OSA) goes…
Growing public pressure alone has ensured that the conclave today is usually a matter of a few days. One papal election in history once lasted over 1,000 days. The inhabitants of Viterbo found this too colourful. People love the conclave – and the media love it even more. The highest level of secrecy, at the…
Historically, the time had once again been ripe for a religious man in the papal office. And the Jesuit Francis obviously wanted this to continue in the near future. Because he has massively increased the number of religious as voters. Jorge Mario Bergoglio has brought many superlatives to papal history from his native Argentina: he…
By: Christiane Laudage Popes have been choosing new names for over 1,000 years. What is the tradition behind this, which names are considered taboo – and what does the choice of name reveal about the future pontificate? White smoke above St Peter’s Square announces unequivocally: the Chair of Peter is once again occupied, a new…
By: Leticia Witte (KNA) Relations between the world Jewish community and the Vatican are strained – especially since 7 October 2023. What international Jewish organisations now expect from a new pope. It will not be easy for the next Pope to follow in the footsteps of Francis – this is the opinion of Chief Rabbi…
135 cardinals are eligible to vote, but not all of them will attend the conclave. Nevertheless, there is a record. Before the papal election, various topics are now on the table – and those affected by abuse are voicing criticism. Preparations for the biggest papal election of all time are in full swing in the…
Blessing for all? Also for remarried divorcees and homosexuals? A new paper from the Catholic Church in Germany is causing controversy. Critics believe it oversteps the mark and want to lodge a complaint. A group of conservative Catholics is criticising new rules in Germany according to which homosexuals can also be blessed in church as…
Historically, the time had once again been ripe for a religious man in the papal office. And the Jesuit Francis obviously wanted this to continue in the near future. Jorge Mario Bergoglio has brought many superlatives to papal history from his native Argentina: he was the first Latin American, the first Argentinian, the first pope…
The Catholic Church in Germany has published instructions for the blessing of remarried and homosexual couples. According to the authors, this is in the spirit of the late Pope. Nevertheless, there is criticism. Germany now has rules on how remarried divorcees and homosexuals can be blessed in church. As announced by the German Bishops’ Conference…
Pope Francis was laid out in an open coffin in St Peter’s Basilica for three days. The funeral service and burial followed on Saturday. Every detail of the long ceremony has been organised. The funeral service and burial of a pope follow strict rules that have been changed again and again over the centuries. Most…