Pope Blasts Atheism in New Encyclical

Staff / Truthdig Dec 1, 2007 Atheist authors Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris have some new material to work with, thanks to the latest official release from Pope Benedict XVI, who critiqued the work of Karl Marx, warned against excessive faith in scientific progress and condemned atheism, which he believes has led to some of the "greatest forms of cruelty and violations of justice" in recent history. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Disses Rice

Staff / Truthdig Sep 19, 2007 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice may be persona non grata at the Vatican. When Rice swung through Italy in August, she gave notice ahead of time about her hopes to meet with Pope Benedict XVI, but the pontiff's camp politely rebuffed her request, explaining that he was on holiday. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Benedict XVI on Saints and Sinners

Staff / Truthdig May 11, 2007 Brazilian Catholics thronged to see Pope Benedict XVI in Sao Paulo on Friday as he officially added native-born 18th-century Friar Antonio Galvao to the canon of saints. While he was at it, the pope emphasized the importance of just saying no to drugs and premarital sex. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

No Tampon Ads During the Papal Visit

Staff / Truthdig May 29, 2006 The Polish town of Wadowice has banned ads for alcohol contraceptives, lingerie and tampons during Pope Benedict's visit You won't believe why Read on. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Vatican Mulls Condom Use When Spouse Has HIV

Staff / Truthdig May 2, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI has requested a report on whether Catholics might be allowed to use condoms--but only within a marriage in which one partner is infected. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Pope Calls For End to Iran Crisis

Staff / Truthdig Apr 17, 2006 The pontiff used his first Easter message to ask for "an honorable solution" via "honest and serious negotiations" He also affirmed Israel's right to exist Somehow we suspect those wishes won't have much of an impact on the Holocaust-denying president of Iran . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )