Toledo, Spain - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Valladolid archbishop Braulio Rodriguez Plaza, 65, primate of the Catholic Church in Spain, former primate Antonio Canizares announced Thursday.
Rodriguez Plaza will succeed Canizares as the prelate of Toledo and primate of Spain.
The two posts, which have traditionally belonged together, were left vacant in December when Canizares was appointed prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments at the Vatican.
Castel Gandolfo, Italy - Following a week of intense Easter festivities, Pope Benedict XVI was set Thursday to spend his 82nd birthday resting at the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo in the hills south of Rome.
The low-key commemoration contrasted with April 16, 2008 when Benedict, who was on an apostolic visit to the US, was feted in Washington by then US president George W Bush.
On that occasion a choir sang "Happy Birthday" for the pontiff on the White House lawn.
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI led the traditional Easter vigil late Saturday, entering a darkened St Peter's Basilica while carrying a tall candle - a gesture symbolizing the Christian belief in the resurrected Jesus' illuminating presence in the world. Taking their cue from the 81-year-old pontiff, thousands of faithful gathered inside lit their own candles, the flames flickering inside the church's immense interior.
Outside, on a mild, spring night in Rome, tens of thousands more followed the ceremony from four giant screens erected on St Peter's Square.
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI planned to preside over Rome's traditional Good Friday evening Way of the Cross procession at which the Vatican has invited the faithful to reflect on the persecution of Christians in IndiaThe procession was to be accompanied by words penned by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, India.
As in many previous years, the event which commemorates the last hours leading to Jesus' crucifixion was set to be held at Rome's Colosseum.
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI in a Holy Thursday Chrism Mass celebrated the first of a series of traditional rituals leading to Easter - a feast tinged with sorrow in Italy this year for the victims of an devastating earthquake.
During the ceremony in St Peter's Basilica, Benedict blessed holy oils which will be used in Catholic sacraments, including baptisms, confirmations and last rites for the dying.
Some of the oils consecrated this year are destined for parishes in Italy's central Abruzzo region where by Thursday morning the death toll from Monday's earthquake stood at 278.
Rome - Pope Bened
Toledo, Spain - Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Valladolid archbishop Braulio Rodriguez Plaza, 65, primate of the Catholic Church in Spain, former primate Antonio Canizares announced Thursday.
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI led the traditional Easter vigil late Saturday, entering a darkened St Peter's Basilica while carrying a tall candle - a gesture symbolizing the Christian belief in the resurrected Jesus' illuminating presence in the world. Taking their cue from the 81-year-old pontiff, thousands of faithful gathered inside lit their own candles, the flames flickering inside the church's immense interior.
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI planned to preside over Rome's traditional Good Friday evening Way of the Cross procession at which the Vatican has invited the faithful to reflect on the persecution of Christians in IndiaThe procession was to be accompanied by words penned by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, India.
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI in a Holy Thursday Chrism Mass celebrated the first of a series of traditional rituals leading to Easter - a feast tinged with sorrow in Italy this year for the victims of an devastating earthquake.
