Today on Kresta - September 16, 2010

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Sept. 16

4:00 - The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II -- The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy
“As March gave way to April in the spring of 2005 and the world kept vigil outside the apostolic palace in Rome, the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, then drawing to a poignant end, was already being described as one of the most consequential in two millennia of Christian history.” With these words, world-renowned author and NBC Vatican analyst George Weigel begins his long-awaited sequel to the international bestseller Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II. More than ten years in the making, The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II—The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy tells the dramatic story of the Pope’s battle with communism in light of new and recently disclosed information and brings to a close Weigel’s landmark portrait of a man who not only left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church, but also changed the course of world history. George is here.

5:00 – Pope Benedict Meets with Queen Elizabeth – Headed to London
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Edinburgh today at the start of his historic four-day state visit. The plane carrying the pontiff and his entourage touched down at Edinburgh airport at about 10:15 am, and flew the Union Jack flag and the yellow and white Vatican flag. It is the first ever state visit to Britain by a pope since English king Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church in 1534 and founded the Church of England. The only other visit by a pope was made by John Paul II in 1982. The highlight of the trip will be the beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman on Sunday in Birmingham. Vatican correspondent Joan Lewis is in London and is here to report on the preparations there.

5:20 - Pope Arrives in Scotland – Holds 1st Public Mass of UK Visit
Pope Benedict, the first pontiff to pay a State Visit to the UK, received a warm and heartfelt welcome to Scotland this morning by Queen Elizabeth II at Holywood House, her official residence in Edinburgh. Following a private meeting between the two, there were speeches by the Queen and the Pope, and a reception where 400 invited guests from civil and religious society mingled with Benedict XVI and Elizabeth II. In a speech many in the UK are calling “memorable” and “historic,” Pope Benedict stressed the “deep Christian roots” of the British monarchy and society, and the importance of the role of the United Kingdom on the international scene, mentioning in particular Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland reporter Gareth Peoples was in Scotland this morning covering the Pope and checks in with us.

5:30 - Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ruled to be Illegal – Where Does the Case Go From Here?
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) is holding hearing today to discuss federal funding of embryonic stem cell research in the wake of a federal judge ruling embryonic stem cell research illegal last month. This controversial form of research is unnecessary, unethical, and illegal. Many embryos are being destroyed with little promise of scientific breakthrough. Dr. Theresa Deisher, one of the plaintiffs in the case is here to discuss it.

5:40 - Feast of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian
Saint Cornelius was elected Pope in 251 during the persecutions of the Emperor Decius. His first challenge, besides the ever present threat of the Roman authorities, was to bring an end to the schism brought on by his rival, the first anti-pope Novatian. Saint Cyprian of Carthage is second in importance only to the great Saint Augustine as a figure and Father of the African church. He was a close friend of Pope Cornelius and supported him both against the anti-pope Novatian, and in his views concerning the re-admittance of apostates into the Church. Both were martyrs whose feast we celebrate today. Steve Ray is here to tell us more.