Thoughts on Bergoglio and the 2005 Conclave

April 5, 2024 (Steven O’Reilly) – Pope Francis has recently made some odd comments about the 2005 papal conclave which elected Cardinal Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI. In that conclave, reporting has long suggested that Francis, as then Cardinal Bergoglio had received the second largest number of votes in the conclave, at one point reaching … More Thoughts on Bergoglio and the 2005 Conclave

Eleven Years Ago: Benedict confirms “I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church”

February 28, 2024 (Steven O’Reilly) – Eleven years ago today, on February 28th 2013, Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation became effective at 8pm, Rome time. Just one day after his last audience, and on the very day his resignation would become effective later that evening, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to Catholic pilgrims for the Diocese of … More Eleven Years Ago: Benedict confirms “I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church”

Minutella, Cionci, Barnhardt wrong on the “PP” (Pontifex Pontificum)

February 2, 2024 (Steven O’Reilly) – Perhaps a few months back, I saw the claim on X that Benedict, as Pope Emeritus, still continued to sign letters with his name and a “PP”, which depending on the source, stands for Pontifex Primus or Pontifex Pontificum — i.e., the pope. The claim here is that after his … More Minutella, Cionci, Barnhardt wrong on the “PP” (Pontifex Pontificum)

Bugnolo: ‘The Maker and Unmaker of popes’

January 29, 2024 (Steven O’Reilly) – Br. Bugnolo just published an article on Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, titled THE RENUNCIATION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI — A POSTSCRIPT.  In it, he begins by marking the time since the death of Benedict XVI on December 31, 2022.  Bugnolo notes (emphasis added): It has been a year and … More Bugnolo: ‘The Maker and Unmaker of popes’

Formal Correction: Now is the time!

January 5, 2024 (Steven O’Reilly) – On December 18, 2023, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published the controversial Declaration Fiducia Supplicans. While claiming not to allow the blessing of same-sex unions or relationships, the document contradicted itself in allowing the blessing of same-sex “couples” as same-sex couples (see my prior article, Will Fiducia … More Formal Correction: Now is the time!