Tuesday, December 8
Some familiar paintings: From left, by Carlo Crivelli; 2 by El Greco; 2 by Esteban Murillo (who painted 4); 2 by Francisco Zurbaran (who had 3); and by Giambattista Tiepolo.
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
This has been a major Church feast since 1476 when Pope Sixtus IV made it a religious holiday,
but it was not until 1854 when Pope Pius IX formally proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
OR for 12/7-12/8:
At the Angelus, Benedict XVI underscores that the Gospel is not a legend:
'The account of a true story'
He also calls for moderate and responsible lifestyles that respect Creation
on the eve of the Copenhagen conference on climate change.
Illustration: Raphael, John the Baptist preaching, 1505, National Gallery, London.
Other Page 1 stories: A situationer on the Copenhagen meeting; and an editorial commentary that looks into whether the rich nations at Copenhagen will simply aim for market adjustments rather than literal global accord on environmental protection measures. The inside pages contain the Vatican message to the UN against anti-personnel land mines; a story on the Archbishop of Canterbury's alarm at the appointment of an openly lesbian Episcopal bishop in Los Angeles; and an essay on St. Ambrose about 'when reflection becomes prayer'.
THE POPE'S DAY
As it is a religious holiday, the Holy Father led Angelus prayers at noon today. Homily.
This afternoon, the Holy Father will render the traditional papal homage to the Immaculate Conception
at the pillar with her image in Rome's Piazza Spagna.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 08/12/2009 15:38]