Jesus of Nazareth, the new book by Pope Benedict XVI , has already sold more than 2 million copies, the official Vatican publisher has announced.

Jesus of Nazareth has been printed in 15 different languages, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana reports. The Vatican publishing house, which holds the rights to the Pope’s written work, made an agreement with the Italian Rizzoli house to market the book in that country. In Germany the Pope’s book is published by Herder Verlag; in the US, by Doubleday.

- Courtesy of Catholic World News.

 Pope Benedict XVI  paid homage to Mother Teresa of Calcutta on Wednesday, September 5th : the 10th anniversary of her death.

At the end of his regular public audience,  the Holy Father acknowledged 1,500 Missionaries of Charity in the crowd in St. Peter’s Square. These members of the religious order founded by Mother Teresa were in Rome to mark the anniversary of her death. September 5  is also the optional feast day honoring Mother Teresa in the liturgical calendar of the Church; that date was set by Pope John Paul II  at the time of her beatification: October 19, 2003.

In his tribute to Mother Teresa, Pope Benedict said that “the life and witness of this true disciple of Christ, whose liturgical memory we celebrate today, are an invitation to you and the entire Church to always serve Christ in the poor and the needy.”

- Courtesy of Catholic World News

Pope Benedict XVI has signed a document that would allow more churches to adopt the old Latin Mass that largely faded from use during the 1960’s, when the groundbreaking Second Vatican Council opened the doors to worship in the local vernacular, Vatican officials say.

The revival of what is known as the Tridentine Mass has long been promoted by Roman Catholic traditionalists , who say it is more moving, contemplative and historically authentic than the modern Mass.

But Pope Benedict has been hearing resistance from cardinals and bishops , many of them in Europe , who argue that the change would  divide the church by promulgating two very different official rites.

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A document titled “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road” was issued by the Vatican as a guide for drivers to practice self-mastery, prudence, courtesy, fitting spirit of service and awareness of highway code.

The document said “cars tend to bring out the ‘primitive’ side of human beings, thereby producing rather unpleasant results.”

The “Ten Commandments” for drivers, as listed in the document are :

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.