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 )

Thou Shalt Not Exceed the Speed Limit

Staff / Truthdig Jun 20, 2007 The Vatican has come up with "Ten Commandments" for drivers, warning that cars can be "an occasion of sin." The document recommends prayer for surviving the road in good physical and spiritual condition, especially saying the rosary while driving because its "rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver's attention." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Vatican Shuns Amnesty International

Staff / Truthdig Jun 14, 2007 The Vatican is urging Catholics not to donate to Amnesty International because, it says, the group selectively promotes abortion. The human rights organization says the church has misrepresented its policy and, in the process, imperiled human rights. The World Health Organization estimates that 70,000 women die every year from unsafe abortions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Red State Update: Bush and the Pope

Staff / Truthdig Jun 13, 2007 Red State Update weighs in on the president's recent papal visit, the difficulties of brush clearing while wearing a fancy ring, and Papa Bush's newfound softness. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Carjacked

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Jun 12, 2007 Dig deeper

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 )

Hallelujah! Spanish Leader Snubs Pope

Staff / Truthdig Jul 11, 2006 More than a million worshipers in Spain showed up to hear the pope deliver a homily in which he made a veiled attack on Spain's liberal legal attitude toward gay marriage and divorce. Conspicuously not in attendance: the Spanish prime minister. It's apparently the first time in history that a Spanish leader has missed such an address. Que bueno. Memo to Pope Benedict XVI: Keep on dressing up hate speech as The Good News and you'll continue to be marginalized by more-enlightened world leaders. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Pope Apparently Has God’s Playbook

Staff / Truthdig Jul 10, 2006 And he's using it to make statements like this to an audience in Spain, where same-sex marriages were legalized last year: "The family is a unique institution in God's plan, and the church cannot fail to proclaim and promote its fundamental importance.? God, what a guy: powerful enough to create a universe but still needs the help of a former Hitler Youth to stigmatize homosexuals. 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 Disciplines Top Priest on Sexual Abuse Charges

Staff / Truthdig May 20, 2006 Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, 86, is the most prominent priest yet to be disciplined for allegedly molesting young members of the Church. But because of his advanced age, he's getting only a slap on the wrist--a demand that he give up his ministry in favor of a quiet life of "prayer and penitence." Assuming the allegations are true, good riddance. 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 )

Now They Have John Paul Performing Miracles From the Grave

Staff / Truthdig Mar 14, 2006 A French nun inflicted with Parkinson's disease is suddenly cured--after fellow nuns pray to the dead pope. The Associated Press ran this story without a hint of irony or skepticism. Check out Truthdig's Sam Harris for a little perspective. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )