A round up of some of today's stories surrounding the conclave and other related issues.

* Summary of today’s press briefing at the Vatican on the first day of the general congregation. The meeting took places in a "warm, serene atmosphere of great spiritual communion," said Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi. Vatican statement on today’s general congregation.

* Cardinal Julian Herranz, one of the three cardinals who led the commission of inquiry into Vatileaks, recently made some important points in an under-reported interview to a Spanish newspaper on the whole affair.

Notably he dismisses the sensationalism of media reports, saying speculation over the contents of the...READ MORE

Pope Benedict XVI's remarks in English during his final General Audience - full text below:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I offer a warm and affectionate greeting to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors who have joined me for this, my last General Audience. Like Saint Paul, whose words we heard earlier, my heart is filled with thanksgiving to God who ever watches over his Church and her growth in faith and love, and I embrace all of you with joy and gratitude. During this Year of Faith, we have been called to renew our joyful trust in the Lord’s presence in our lives and in the life of the Church. I am personally grateful for his unfailing love and guidance in the eight years...READ MORE

The full text of Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus address before he steps down on Thursday. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you for your affection!

Today, the second Sunday of Lent, we have a particularly beautiful Gospel, the Transfiguration of the Lord. The evangelist Luke puts particular emphasis on the fact that Jesus was transfigured as he prayed: his is a profound experience of relationship with the Father during a sort of spiritual retreat that Jesus lives on a high mountain in the company of Peter, James and John, the three disciples always present in moments of divine manifestation of the Master (Luke 5:10, 8.51, 9.28).

The Lord, who shortly before had foretold...READ MORE

A fair amount of news has been coming out of the Vatican and Italy regarding the papal resignation and conclave. Below is a round-up of some of the latest stories:

*  Vaticanista Andrea Tornielli says Pope Benedict XVI will issue a motu proprio in the coming days to change the rules governing a papal conclave so that an earlier election of his successor can take place – if the College of Cardinals decides it wants an election sooner than the statutory 15 days after a pope’s death or resignation.

* Fr. Federico Lombardi’s statement:

* Perhaps with a view to ensuring accurate news is diffused during the conclave, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, has now set...READ MORE

The Vatican has released the following English translation of Pope Benedict XVI's off-the-cuff discourse to the clergy of the diocese of Rome last Thursday:

Your Eminence,

Dear Brother Bishops and Priests,

For me it is a particular gift of Providence that, before leaving the Petrine ministry, I can once more see my clergy, the clergy of Rome.  It is always a great joy to see the living Church, to see how the Church in Rome is alive; there are shepherds here who guide the Lord’s flock in the spirit of the supreme Shepherd.  It is a body of clergy that is truly Catholic, universal, in accordance with the essence of the Church of Rome: to bear within itself the universality, the...READ MORE

VIDEO: Some of the words of tribute to Pope Benedict XVI given by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. 

Below is Vatican Radio's translation of the Holy Father’s Ash Wednesday homily [original text Italian]

Venerable Brothers,
Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin a new Lenten journey, a journey that extends over forty days and leads us towards the joy of Easter, to victory of Life over death. Following the ancient Roman tradition of Lenten stations, we are gathered for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The tradition says that the first statio took place in the Basilica of Saint Sabina on the Aventine Hill. Circumstances suggested we...READ MORE

Pope Benedict XVI surprised the world this morning by announcing his resignation. He is to step down by Feb. 28. 

A summary of today's momentous event as they unfolded:

***

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi confirmed to a packed and sombre press conference this morning that Pope Benedict XVI would be stepping down at 8pm on feb. 28th.

He said even the Pope's closest aides did not know what he was planning to do and were left "incredulous." The Pope showed "great courage" and "determination," he said. 

Reports say Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, the Pope's brother, commented that the Holy Father had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been...READ MORE