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The Real John Henry Newman

From First Thoughts

Those fortunate enough to have taken in Pope Benedict’s celebration of Cardinal Newman—at both Saturday’s  prayer vigil , and the  Mass and beatification early Sunday—were not disappointed. The solemnity of the occasion, the readings and beautiful hymns sung, the . . . . Continue Reading »

Mission Accomplished at Westminster

From First Thoughts

The pope’s historic speech at Westminster Hall , the political centerpiece of his visit to Britain, was everything one could have hoped for. Principled, sincere and generous, Benedict thanked his hosts and praised those elements of British society in harmony with Catholic teaching. At the same . . . . Continue Reading »

Paper Tiger Protestors?

From First Thoughts

The  Los Angeles Times , not a paper outwardly friendly to the Church, has  commented on the pope’s tour through Scotland: “More than 100,000 well-wishers greeted Benedict as he travelled the streets of Edinburgh in his specially designed Popemobile, with his shoulders wrapped . . . . Continue Reading »

Beautiful and Stirring

From First Thoughts

Pope Benedict’s extraordinary celebration at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow was one for the ages. The liturgy was beautiful and stirring, the people’s faith obviously heartfelt, and Benedict’s homily —recalling Scotland’s Christian heritage, and the true destiny of . . . . Continue Reading »

Modern Historians on Pope Benedict

From First Thoughts

Eamon Duffy of Cambridge University is one of the church’s great historians . He is also, at times, one of its most disappointing. The problem with Professor Duffy—maddening, to those who admire his books—is that he has no feel for contemporary Catholicism. As long as he is writing . . . . Continue Reading »

Pius XII and the Distorting Ellipsis

From Web Exclusives

As charge after charge that Pope Pius XII failed to resist the Germans or even that he was indeed “Hitler’s Pope” has been refuted, the critics have advanced new and more remote accusations. First, critics attacked him for what he said or did (or failed to say or do) during the war… . Continue Reading »