Pope Blasts Wasted Weekends

Poll shows faithful admire pontiff but find church out of sync

(NEWSER) - As Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his first visit to America, a Washington Post poll finds that the pontiff enjoys wide support among US Catholics. Nearly three in four say that they have a positive impression of Benedict. But the poll also reveals that most Catholics find the church out of sync with their personal views, and that many remain pained by the clergy sex abuse scandal. More»

Internet pontiff succeeds TV phenomenon

(NEWSER) - John Paul II was an incredible Pope, but Benedict might be just what the world needs today, writes Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal. Benedict, who "lacks an immediately accessible flair," succeeded a telegenic "showman" who brought joy to the faithful. "John Paul made you burst into tears," Noonan writes. "Benedict makes you think." More»

Pontiff expresses "sadness, repentance, and friendship" at lives lost to Nazis

(NEWSER) - Pope Benedict XVI paid tribute today to the 65,000 Austrian victims of the Holocaust at the start of his three-day visit to Austria, BBC reports. Alongside Jewish leaders, the pontiff expressed “sadness, repentance, and friendship” at a monument honoring those killed by the Nazis. Benedict tomorrow leads a pilgrimage to an 850-year-old Catholic shrine outside Vienna, according to VOA. More»

Catholic League: Academy would never allow similar insult to Judaism, Islam

(NEWSER) - Madonna might've been down on her creaky old knees at the Super Bowl , but hell hath no fury like the Catholic League today over Nicki Minaj's religious-themed, stunt-laden appearance at last night's Grammy Awards. The League today issued a press release titled, "Is Nicki Minaj Possessed?" Concluding that the answer to that question is "open," the League blasted the Recording Academy for allowing the performance, saying, "Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam." More»

Drew Barrymore, converting to Judaism, is the latest

(NEWSER) - Drew Barrymore is getting married , but first she's—reportedly—converting to Judaism, the religion fiance Will Kopelman practices. She follows the tradition of these seven other celebrity spouses (or not-quite-spouses) who did the same thing, notes The Frisky :

• Isla Fisher: Converted to Judaism for Sacha Baron Cohen.
• Jesus Luz: Started following Kabbalah for Madonna.