Habemus Papam! And he is from Argentina

VATICAN CITY — Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, 76 was elected the 266th pope and took the name Francis. The election March 13 came on the first full day of the conclave on the conclave’s fifth ballot. It was a surprisingly quick conclusion to a conclave that began with many …

In digital age, Vatican sticks with smoke, bells to announce results

VATICAN CITY — Though the Vatican has become increasingly savvy with more modern forms of communication, it’s still sticking with more primitive methods — swirling smoke and tolling bells — to announce whether a new pope has been elected. In a similar vein, the Vatican press hall will not immediately …

Sacred Heart Cathedral School hosting 5K, summer camps

Sacred Heart Cathedral School in coming weeks is hosting its second annual Heart and Sole 5K/1-mile Fun Run and its first-ever Camp Eagle series of summer camps. The Heart and Sole 5K/Fun Run is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19. The start/finish line is at the school, but participants …

Papal conclave to begin March 12

VATICAN CITY — The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the papal conclave will begin on Tuesday, March, according to a press statement issued Friday from the Holy See press office. A “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice” Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica Tuesday …

Tenn. Rep. Black co-sponsors bill to broaden HHS mandate exemptions

Washington D.C. — Members of Congress, including a Tennessee House member, have introduced a new bill that would create a broad exemption to the HHS mandate and strengthen protections for health care professionals and institutions with moral and religious objections to abortion. “We have come together to act to protect …

A closer look at the 2013 conclave’s papal electors

VATICAN CITY — The group of cardinals preparing to enter a conclave to elect a new pope is slightly older — by four months — than the group that elected 78-year-old Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 2005. Pope Benedict XVI, now 85, said his age and diminishing energy prompted him to …

Media coverage shifting focus to College of Cardinals

As His Holiness Benedict XVI fulfilled his resignation intention Feb. 28, ending his eight-year pontificate, the College of Cardinals that will select the pope emeritus’ successor has indicated it will hold a March 4 meeting to schedule a papal conclave. News of Benedict XVI’s departure has gripped the world and …

In farewell to cardinals, Pope Benedict pledges obedience to next pope

  VATICAN CITY — The Clementine Hall is traditionally the place where cardinals bid farewell to popes at the end of a pontificate, but usually when the pope in question is lying in state before his funeral. But on Feb. 28, hours before resigning from the papacy, Pope Benedict XVI …

Diocesan faithful give Cardinal Rigali a memorable send-off

In a turnout befitting a pope—or a cardinal—more than a thousand well-wishers were on hand Feb. 26 at All Saints Church and McGhee Tyson Airport to see Cardinal Justin Rigali as he departed for Rome, where he will join the College of Cardinals in a conclave to elect the next …

NFL player Harrison Smith giving back to Sacred Heart

More than 200 people welcomed home a famous alumnus of Sacred Heart Cathedral School on Feb. 25 during “An Evening With Harrison Smith,” featuring the Minnesota Vikings safety fresh off an outstanding rookie season in the NFL. The sold-out event benefited the SHCS Annual Fund, which provides for expenses not …

A world of thanks to Pope Benedict as pontificate ends

Cardinal Justin Rigali is one of 117 College of Cardinals electors assembling for Vatican conclave to choose next pontiff The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Feb. 11 shocked Catholics around the world, including those in the Diocese of Knoxville, which is home to papal elector Cardinal Justin Rigali. Pope …