Articles by Leonardo De Chirico

"The New Evangelization" is the buzzword for much of what happens at the Vatican. It could well become the catchword of Ratzinger's entire pontificate given the attention that is receiving. Benedict XVI instituted a new Pontifical Council in 2010 entirely dedicated to the New Evangelization. The latter is mentioned in nearly all his speeches and is slowly but steadily becoming the overarching theme of many projects sponsored by the Vatican. continue

In the midst of various public events and engagements, the first day of 2012 saw the promulgation of a special Vatican document with particular reference to the former Anglicans wishing to be in full communion with Rome. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a decree which makes provisions for them to be fully accepted into the Roman fold. continue

The Roman Catholic Church is masterful at celebrating special years: the year of Jubilee, the Holy year, the Marian year, the Year for priests, etc. In a sense, every year is a "special" occasion for something. So it was with the Pauline Year (PY). Designed to celebrate the bimillennium of the birth of St Paul, which historians place between the years 7 and 10 AD, the PY included a series of liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events, as well as various pastoral and social initiatives, all inspired by Pauline spirituality. continue

His life was at the centre of the major affairs of the twenieth century: the tragedy of Nazism and the trauma of the Second World War, the apex and fall of Communism, the Second Vatican Council and its debated implementation, the apparent triumph of Western democracy and the oppressive costs of globalization for the Majority world, the fracture of ideologies and the rise of secular hedonism. Wojtyła played a significant role in all these major events. Supporters have acclaimed his achievements in terms of navigating, surviving and overcoming the dangerous streams of our post-something world. continue

One of the prerogatives of the teaching office of the Pope is to hold the cathedra Petri (Peter's chair). St. Peter's basilica hosts the relics of a chair that tradition traces back to the apostle Peter (though, like most relics, it was produced in the Middle Ages). The cathedra Petri is part of the altar, so as to indicate the unique combination of the teaching and sacramental role of the Pope. continue

Word of the Lord and/or Word of the Church?The Bible in a recent papal pronouncement[Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series on Roman Catholicism in the 21st century. A new entry in the series should follow every... continue

Papa dixit. The recent interview with Benedict XVI [Editor's Note:] This is the third of a series on Roman Catholicism in the 21st century. A new entry in the series should follow every three weeks].If you were given the opportunity to meet... continue

The Future Roman Catholic Church. Global Tales from the 21st Century [Editor's Note:] This is the second of a seven-part series on Roman Catholicism in the 21st century. A new entry in the series should follow every three weeks].What will the Roman... continue

[Editor's Note:] This is the first of a seven-part series on Roman Catholicism in the 21st century. A new entry in the series should follow every three weeks].Setting up a new Pontifical Council is not something that happens often in... continue