A Feb. 11, 2013, Los Angeles Times blog post gives the reaction of Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, who participated in the 2005 conclave that elected Benedict as pope and who will travel to Rome to help choose the next pontiff.

Bruce Bastian is the founder of the B.W. Bastian Foundation, based in Orem, Utah, which works to support LGBT people and people with HIV/AIDS. Bastian’s story of growing up gay and Mormon was featured in the book Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America […]

A Feb. 11, 2013, CNN blog post explores the possibility of the next pope being from Africa or Latin America.

The Washington Post says Benedict made his decision months ago and told his brother, who is also a priest.

Rabbi Cindy Enger is the rabbi at Congregation Or Chadash, an LGBT-specific synagogue in Chicago.

President Barack Obama, whose relationship with U.S. Catholic leaders has been strained, told USA Today that he warmly remembers meeting the pope in 2009 and extends his best wishes to Benedict and those who will choose his successor. Read the article about Obama’s comments.

Café Pride is a social coffeehouse for LGBT youth sponsored by a group of area churches in suburban Chicago. Contact Alex Wirth, a pastoral resident for Lake View Presbyterian Church, one of the sponsor churches.

Read a Feb. 11, 2013, Washington Post story about past papal resignations.

Read a Feb. 12, 2013, article from USA Today about possible contenders to replace Pope Benedict XVI.