Pope

Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was born on the16th of April 1927 in Germany. He was the youngest of three sons. The Pope’s baptismal name was Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger.

By Vatican.com 5/14/2018
Rome

Travel in Rome

All Roads lead to Rome

Of course all of these roads are interconnected though some are more easily visible than others. There are many more sides to Rome including its lively sports clubs, its street Cafes, the fascinating Modernist architecture, and much more.

By Vatican.com 5/14/2018
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The Flabellum

The flabellum is a metal disk fixed on a long handle which was used in the Catholic Church in order to keep flies and other insects away from the priest and the consecrated body and blood of Christ. The flabellum was mainly used during Catholic ceremonies and its provisions were contained in the Apostolic Constitutions which stated that two deacons on each side of the altar were to hold a fan made of feathers or thin membranes and drive away small animals that may attempt to come close to the cups.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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The Scala Sancta

The Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) are steps that can be found in what used to be the old Lateran Palace. The Lateran Palace is located in proximity to the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, the cathedral church of Rome. The Lateran Palace used to be the residence of the Popes before the Avignon Exile and is now used as the Museo Storico Vaticano which is a museum of the history of the Papal States.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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Relics in Rome

Rome is an historic city known for its ancient history, tradition, structures and culture. Besides being considered a holy city and headquarter of the Roman Catholic Church, this city is also among the cities with top tourists attractions across the world. As a result of the big role that Rome played in ancient times and the continuous happenings in Rome and the Vatican within it many relics have found there way to Rome.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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Books about the History of the Papacy

The Vatican and the papacy have a grand history and there are several books that discuss this rich history. The Papacy is more than two thousand years old. Since the establishment of the papacy, numerous changes and reforms have been made in it and several struggles were initiated to protect its position and mandate.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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The Society of Jesus- The Jesuit order

Members of The Society of Jesus are called Jesuits. The Society of Jesus is an all male religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. The society's main purpose is to engage in evangelization and apostolic ministry. They are involved in these activities in more than100 nations throughout the world. The Jesuits focuses on intellectual research, education (schools, higher education and religious seminaries) and cultural exploits.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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The Avignon Exile

During the Avignon Exile period, the seat of the Papacy was moved from Rome to Avignon. Avignon is a small provincial town next to the Rhone River in France. The Avignon exile took place between the years 1309 and 1378. Therefore, the Avignon papacy/ Exile is the name given to this period in the Roman Catholic Church's history, and it lasted between 1309 and 1378 during which the papacy operated from Avignon, France and not from Rome, Italy as it had traditionally since the first century AD.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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Christmas in the Vatican

The Vatican is one of the best places in which you can spend your Christmas holiday. During Christmas, the atmosphere in the Vatican changes and there is holiday cheer in the air as millions of people move in and out of the area. The hotels, bars, restaurants, and recreational facilities become very active as a result of the large number of visitors who tour the city.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018
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Easter In the Vatican

Easter is one of the highly celebrated holidays across the world and the Vatican is, of course, not exempted. It is not surprising to see millions of people in the Vatican during the Easter holidays. Easter is the holiday when Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. The holiday is associated with several traditions and the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, normally uses the holiday to convey a message of peace, brotherhood and love to the Catholic believers and the entire world.

By Vatican.com 5/22/2018