This Season
 
  • The activities surrounding the death of the pope follow certain prescribed traditions and ceremonies. The camerlengo, a cardinal who oversees the pope's private affairs, uses a silver mallet to tap…

  • The death of a sitting Pope is a major event in Catholicism, with thousands of people descending on Vatican City to mourn the passing of the old pontiff and to celebrate the new one's election. The…

  • Medieval times, known historically as the "Middle Ages" begin in the fifth century, around the end of the Iron Age and the fall of the Roman Empire. They last until the 15th century, when the…

  • The pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, the bishop of Rome and, according to tradition, the human representative of Christ on earth. The pope's role is one of spiritual and moral…

  • The Pope is the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. He performs daily mass, communicates with God, writes encyclicals and evaluates purported miracles. The Pope holds the highest office at the…

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is divided into geographical areas to promote organization in the church. Members within these various areas attend meetings and services in a church…

  • Among the doctrines of the Catholic Church is the unique teaching on papal infallibility, that the pope, in certain matters, is unable to err. Ever since this doctrine was first proclaimed by the…

  • When writing papers and essays, sometimes you may find yourself needing to cite a papal encyclical. An encyclical is a letter written by the pope to a particular audience of bishops; as such, it…

  • Western wedding culture has evolved over hundreds of years. Most wedding traditions in America came from ancient practices in the European countries that colonized the U.S. Some traditions were church…

  • The first bullfight as we know it today, or "corrida de toros," was in Vera, Logroño, in the twelfth century. Bullfighting is still popular among the peasant class and has become symbolic of…

  • The pope is the spiritual leader of the Catholic church. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the pope inherits this power from St. Peter, whom Jesus anointed as the head of his church. Elected by…

  • The Pope holds the single most important position in the Roman Catholic Church and is its supreme leader. According to Catholic belief, each Pope is successor to Saint Peter, who received the keys to…

  • When Pope Benedict XVI became the 265th Catholic Pope on April 15, 2005, he assumed a mantle of spiritual authority that Catholics believe was given by Christ himself. As the representative of Christ…

  • A papal prince, as a representative of Roman nobility, is the Prince Assistant to the Papal Throne.

  • A private meeting with the pope is hard to get. But petitioning the pope is easy. It can be as simple as sending a letter to the Vatican. Someone at the Vatican reads all correspondence, and usually…

  • Depending on their rank, Catholic clergy wear different traditional vestments. The pope, as supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church, is entitled to wear all of those vestments, as well as some…

  • Since antiquity, bullfighting has captivated spectators across the Iberian Peninsula. Adapted by the Moors from the more barbarous practices of the Visigoths, bullfighting did not arrive in its…

  • A pilgrimage is a long journey taken as an act of religious devotion. Pilgrimages can take place anywhere in the world. One place of interest is the Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, United Kingdom.…

  • Dress appropriately when greeting the Pope, and be sure to kiss the ring on his right hand. Refer to the Pope as "Your Holiness" or "Most Holy Father" with tips from an event coordinator in this free…

  • You can meet the Pope after his usual weekly general audience on Wednesday mornings. Although there is no charge, an audience with the Pope requires tickets, arranged well in advance. Use the…

  • The pope is an international leading figure who demands, by his office, respect and appropriately conservative dress and behavior.