You may have seen, as I did, the footage of the departure from the Vatican of Benedict XVI, now Pope Emeritus. There was coverage of his farewell audiences, his farewells to the Cardinals, his helicopter lifting off from the Vatican heliport and then landing at Castel Gandolfo, his brief address on the balcony of the...Read More

The Holy Father’s recent announcement of his resignation from the Papacy due to reasons of advanced age and diminished strength was an act of selfless humility and great humanity. Shortly after his election in 2005, it was speculated that the new pope, Pope Benedict XVI, would be unlike his predecessor, who transformed the image of...Read More

The full import of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI due to the frailty that comes with advancing years will emerge only with the passage of time. Even now, however, two observations might be in order. The first is that Pope Benedict’s decision reveals that he has a pastor’s heart. He put the Church and...Read More

Years ago, I accompanied James Cardinal Hickey, then the Archbishop of Washington, to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, where then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was to give a lecture. After his lecture and after fielding questions from his audience, Cardinal Ratzinger boarded a small plane that would take him and five other passengers to Washington where...Read More

Some years ago, after I sat in a parish confessional for two Saturday afternoons in a row waiting in vain for a penitent to show up, I brought up the matter with a few parishioners. “Why don’t people make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often?” I wanted to know. A younger parishioner spoke...Read More

I. Introduction Is anyone here rooting for the Ravens this Sunday? I thought so! I would point out that since I became Archbishop of Baltimore almost 10 months ago, the Orioles got to the playoffs for the first time in years and now the Ravens are in the Super Bowl. Let’s think a little bit...Read More

I. Introduction Warmest thanks to you, Bishop Bransfield, for inviting me to take part in the Red Mass of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. It happens that this also is my first visit as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Baltimore. The Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston are not only neighbors but are also part...Read More

This year’s celebration of the Lord’s birth, the Holy Innocents, and the Holy Family are more poignant than ever as we continue to pray for the grieving families in Newtown. The birth of the Eternal Son of God as a helpless child reminds us of how precious the life of each child is. The Holy...Read More