Build communion with diversity, abbot tells cardinals before conclave

Abbot Donato Ogliari of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome was invited by the cardinals to offer a spiritual meditation April 29 at their general congregation meeting before the conclave begins May 7. The rules for preparing a conclave require the cardinals to invite a cleric known for his “sound doctrine, wisdom and moral authority” to offer meditation.

Where — and when — to watch for white smoke

The conclave is set to begin May 7, but the public only knows its end by iconic white smoke billowing out of the Sistine Chapel’s chimney.
The best place to watch for the smoke is in St. Peter’s Square itself, but the Vatican will also livestream the smoke on its YouTube channel, Vatican Media Live.

Beauty and mystery in ‘The Mystical Theology’

The works of art hanging over ornate altars and displayed in crowded halls are of great theological significance and have even inspired revolutions in artistic expression. To the casual observer, however, some of the lessons of these masterpieces remain mysterious as they become less well known over the passage of centuries.