http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Tue, 21 May 2013 18:21:30 +0200 Tue, 21 May 2013 18:21:30 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-vatican-financial-oversight-director-rene-bruelhart-a-889560.html#ref=rss René Brülhart, 40, has been the director of the Vatican's Financial Information Authority (FIA) for nearly half a year. The Swiss lawyer and former head of Liechtenstein's financial intelligence unit is on a mission to clear the Vatican Bank of all suspicions of money laundering and other illegal financial transactions. Mon, 18 Mar 2013 19:08:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-vatican-financial-oversight-director-rene-bruelhart-a-889560.html René Brülhart, 40, has been the director of the Vatican's Financial Information Authority (FIA) for nearly half a year. The Swiss lawyer and former head of Liechtenstein's financial intelligence unit is on a mission to clear the Vatican Bank of all suspicions of money laundering and other illegal financial transactions. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/catholic-bishops-in-rome-air-grievances-ahead-of-conclave-a-888357.html#ref=rss As the conclave to select Benedict XVI's successor begins at the Vatican on Tuesday, conservatives and liberals among top Catholic bishops agree: The church needs a renewal. Who should lead that reform, however, is the subject of intense debate. Much dirty laundry has been aired in recent days. Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:11:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/catholic-bishops-in-rome-air-grievances-ahead-of-conclave-a-888357.html As the conclave to select Benedict XVI's successor begins at the Vatican on Tuesday, conservatives and liberals among top Catholic bishops agree: The church needs a renewal. Who should lead that reform, however, is the subject of intense debate. Much dirty laundry has been aired in recent days.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-imposter-sneaks-into-vatican-as-fake-bishop-a-886950.html#ref=rss German church officials on Tuesday distanced themselves from the man who infiltrated a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican by masquerading as a bishop, saying he can't be trusted. This isn't the first time the self-proclaimed bishop and "Jesus yoga" proponent has caused a kerfuffle. Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:36:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/german-imposter-sneaks-into-vatican-as-fake-bishop-a-886950.html German church officials on Tuesday distanced themselves from the man who infiltrated a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican by masquerading as a bishop, saying he can't be trusted. This isn't the first time the self-proclaimed bishop and "Jesus yoga" proponent has caused a kerfuffle. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/french-muslim-leader-says-catholic-church-needs-new-beginning-a-886192.html#ref=rss Dalil Boubakeur is one of France's most prominent Muslims. In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, he discusses what retiring Pope Benedict XVI did wrong in bridging the Muslim-Catholic divide and how the two religions need to make a fresh start at interfaith dialogue. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:22:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/french-muslim-leader-says-catholic-church-needs-new-beginning-a-886192.html Dalil Boubakeur is one of France's most prominent Muslims. In a SPIEGEL ONLINE interview, he discusses what retiring Pope Benedict XVI did wrong in bridging the Muslim-Catholic divide and how the two religions need to make a fresh start at interfaith dialogue.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/castel-gandolfo-history-of-the-summer-residence-of-the-pope-a-886181.html#ref=rss Pope Benedict has withdrawn to Castel Gandolfo while his successor is chosen. But few know that the papal summer residence of almost 400 years has a curious history, serving as a hideout for Jews, delivery ward and target for paparazzi. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 17:42:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/castel-gandolfo-history-of-the-summer-residence-of-the-pope-a-886181.html Pope Benedict has withdrawn to Castel Gandolfo while his successor is chosen. But few know that the papal summer residence of almost 400 years has a curious history, serving as a hideout for Jews, delivery ward and target for paparazzi.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pope-benedict-xvi-holds-final-audience-at-the-vatican-a-885918.html#ref=rss With over 150,000 spectators at St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI held his last general audience, telling followers that his decision to resign from the papacy has filled him with "a profound serenity." Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:31:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pope-benedict-xvi-holds-final-audience-at-the-vatican-a-885918.html With over 150,000 spectators at St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI held his last general audience, telling followers that his decision to resign from the papacy has filled him with "a profound serenity." ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/catholic-church-searches-for-renewal-and-a-new-pope-a-884043.html#ref=rss With Pope Benedict XVI's resignation drawing closer, the struggle for power in the Vatican has gotten underway in earnest. The church badly needs to reform itself, but with Ratzinger lurking in the shadows, will it be able to? <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:05:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/catholic-church-searches-for-renewal-and-a-new-pope-a-884043.html With Pope Benedict XVI's resignation drawing closer, the struggle for power in the Vatican has gotten underway in earnest. The church badly needs to reform itself, but with Ratzinger lurking in the shadows, will it be able to? By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/theologian-hans-kueng-discusses-the-future-of-the-catholic-church-a-884080.html#ref=rss Progressive Catholic theologian Hans Küng, whose authority to teach Catholic theology was rescinded by the Vatican in 1979, spoke to SPIEGEL about the challenges facing the next pope and the need for reform of the Catholic Church. Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:40:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/theologian-hans-kueng-discusses-the-future-of-the-catholic-church-a-884080.html Progressive Catholic theologian Hans Küng, whose authority to teach Catholic theology was rescinded by the Vatican in 1979, spoke to SPIEGEL about the challenges facing the next pope and the need for reform of the Catholic Church.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-cartoon-predicted-pope-benedict-resignation-a-883103.html#ref=rss The day before it happened, a German page-a-day calendar prophesied the pope's resignation, and then lightning struck St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Were these mysterious events just coincidence or a sign from God? Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-cartoon-predicted-pope-benedict-resignation-a-883103.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-commentators-say-pope-benedict-failed-to-reform-church-a-882874.html#ref=rss Pope Benedict XVI is nothing if not conservative. He spent the last eight years battling against relativism and individualism -- before breaking with tradition and taking a step that no pope has made for over 700 years. German commentators say his papacy failed to introduce much-needed reforms. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:57:08 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/german-commentators-say-pope-benedict-failed-to-reform-church-a-882874.html Pope Benedict XVI is nothing if not conservative. He spent the last eight years battling against relativism and individualism -- before breaking with tradition and taking a step that no pope has made for over 700 years. German commentators say his papacy failed to introduce much-needed reforms.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/benedict-resignation-could-be-good-news-for-german-catholics-a-882734.html#ref=rss Germany celebrated when Joseph Ratzinger was chosen pope in 2005. Eight years later, however, many are glad to see him go. He was a deeply polarizing figure in his native country and blocked the Catholic Church from launching a badly needed renewal. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:57:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/benedict-resignation-could-be-good-news-for-german-catholics-a-882734.html Germany celebrated when Joseph Ratzinger was chosen pope in 2005. Eight years later, however, many are glad to see him go. He was a deeply polarizing figure in his native country and blocked the Catholic Church from launching a badly needed renewal.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/benedict-xvi-announces-resignation-for-health-reasons-a-882701.html#ref=rss Benedict XVI has claimed failing health for his decision to step down from the papacy. But ongoing power struggles and intrigue in the Vatican likely also played a role. The search for a successor could prove challenging. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:35:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/benedict-xvi-announces-resignation-for-health-reasons-a-882701.html Benedict XVI has claimed failing health for his decision to step down from the papacy. But ongoing power struggles and intrigue in the Vatican likely also played a role. The search for a successor could prove challenging.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/vatican-confirms-pope-to-step-down-at-end-of-month-a-882611.html#ref=rss In a surprise development, the Vatican confirmed Monday that Pope Benedict XVI will step down later this month. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her "utmost respect" for his decision and described the Catholic leader as "one of the most important religious thinkers of our time." Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:18:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/vatican-confirms-pope-to-step-down-at-end-of-month-a-882611.html In a surprise development, the Vatican confirmed Monday that Pope Benedict XVI will step down later this month. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her "utmost respect" for his decision and described the Catholic leader as "one of the most important religious thinkers of our time." ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/pope-benedict-xvi-sues-german-satire-magazine-titanic-a-843690.html#ref=rss German satire magazine <i>Titanic</i> believes it has found the source of the Vatican leaks, and the pope is not amused. Benedict XVI has taken the publication to court after it published an image of him soiling himself. Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:03:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/pope-benedict-xvi-sues-german-satire-magazine-titanic-a-843690.html German satire magazine Titanic believes it has found the source of the Vatican leaks, and the pope is not amused. Benedict XVI has taken the publication to court after it published an image of him soiling himself. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/vatileaks-scandal-exposes-pope-s-frail-leadership-a-836825.html#ref=rss Though Pope Benedict XVI's personal butler has been arrested in connection with the "Vatileaks" scandal, new documents released over the weekend indicate he had powerful backers that remain unidentified. The secret documents expose the pontiff's awkward and helpless leadership in the Church. Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:50:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/vatileaks-scandal-exposes-pope-s-frail-leadership-a-836825.html Though Pope Benedict XVI's personal butler has been arrested in connection with the "Vatileaks" scandal, new documents released over the weekend indicate he had powerful backers that remain unidentified. The secret documents expose the pontiff's awkward and helpless leadership in the Church. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pope-benedict-to-allow-society-of-st-pius-x-to-return-to-catholic-church-a-832793.html#ref=rss Pope Benedict XVI is expected to allow the Society of St. Pius X, a controversial, ultraconservative splinter group, back into the Catholic Church, SPIEGEL has learned. But Holocaust denier Richard Williamson, an SSPX bishop, opposes the agreement, which is likely to be reached before the end of May. Sun, 13 May 2012 10:16:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pope-benedict-to-allow-society-of-st-pius-x-to-return-to-catholic-church-a-832793.html Pope Benedict XVI is expected to allow the Society of St. Pius X, a controversial, ultraconservative splinter group, back into the Catholic Church, SPIEGEL has learned. But Holocaust denier Richard Williamson, an SSPX bishop, opposes the agreement, which is likely to be reached before the end of May. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-protest-party-to-mainstream-papal-blessing-marks-end-of-an-era-for-greens-a-788340.html#ref=rss Germany's Green Party began in the 1970s as the party of outsiders and non-conformists. Now, they are part of the mainstream. The pope's praise for the environmentalists in his speech to the German parliament shows that a political era has come to an end. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/from-protest-party-to-mainstream-papal-blessing-marks-end-of-an-era-for-greens-a-788340.html Germany's Green Party began in the 1970s as the party of outsiders and non-conformists. Now, they are part of the mainstream. The pope's praise for the environmentalists in his speech to the German parliament shows that a political era has come to an end. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-pope-can-t-neglect-what-s-happening-in-his-own-church-a-788048.html#ref=rss The pope's highly anticipated speech in Germany's parliament Thursday was met with a standing ovation by politicians, who he warned not to abandon their principles for power. In Friday's newspapers, though, German commentators take the pope to task for not addressing contemporary problems within the Catholic Church in his speech. Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:05:34 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-world-from-berlin-the-pope-can-t-neglect-what-s-happening-in-his-own-church-a-788048.html The pope's highly anticipated speech in Germany's parliament Thursday was met with a standing ovation by politicians, who he warned not to abandon their principles for power. In Friday's newspapers, though, German commentators take the pope to task for not addressing contemporary problems within the Catholic Church in his speech.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/mission-clarity-pope-benedict-s-blunt-new-world-a-788054.html#ref=rss It has been billed as Pope Benedict XVI's most difficult trip abroad to date. But so far in Germany, the pope has not sought to shy away from controversy. His bluntness has surprised many -- and could transform the visit into a rousing success. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/mission-clarity-pope-benedict-s-blunt-new-world-a-788054.html It has been billed as Pope Benedict XVI's most difficult trip abroad to date. But so far in Germany, the pope has not sought to shy away from controversy. His bluntness has surprised many -- and could transform the visit into a rousing success. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-pope-in-germany-financial-crisis-religion-and-a-bit-of-protest-a-787878.html#ref=rss In Germany on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI wasted no time in touching on one of the main themes of his papacy: declining religiosity. But he also chatted with Chancellor Angela Merkel about the financial crisis and said he understands the protests surrounding his visit. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:04:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-pope-in-germany-financial-crisis-religion-and-a-bit-of-protest-a-787878.html In Germany on Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI wasted no time in touching on one of the main themes of his papacy: declining religiosity. But he also chatted with Chancellor Angela Merkel about the financial crisis and said he understands the protests surrounding his visit.]]>