mass news stories on Newser

Scientists Find Rocky Exoplanet

Kevin Spak — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:33:42 CDT

Scientists have at long last discovered a rocky world outside of our solar system, Wired reports. Dubbed COROT-7b (it circles the star COROT-7), the planet has a density similar to Earth’s, said researchers, who believe our greatest chance of finding extraterrestrial life is on a rocky planet with such a...

'Trailblazer' Shriver Laid to Rest

Matt Cantor — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:45:01 CDT

At today's funeral Mass for Eunice Kennedy Shriver, daughter Maria called her a “trailblazer” who “was scary smart and not afraid to show it,” the Cape Cod Times reports. Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Joe Biden, and Arnold Schwarzenegger attended the private service for the Special Olympics founder at the Kennedy...

Pope Says Mass at Stadium

Kevin Spak — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:56:38 CDT

Washington's Nationals Park was transformed into a church today as more than 46,000 gathered to hear Pope Benedict XVI say Mass. Beer stands were replaced with confessionals and choirs filled the outfield as the popemobile circled the bases, the Washington Post reports. Giving his homily in English and Spanish,...

NY, DC Prep for Papal Visit

Wesley Oliver — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:35:00 CDT

He may be the only man who can draw Mets fans to Yankee Stadium: Next week, Pope Benedict XVI will lead a stadium Mass on his 6-day tour of Washington, DC and New York. Before gracing second base, the Pontiff will celebrate his 81st birthday at the White House, and...

Pope Slams Iraq War

Matt Cantor — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:00:00 CDT

Pope Benedict XVI harshly criticized the Iraq war today at the close of a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the AP reports. “Enough with the slaughters. Enough with the violence. Enough with the hatred,” he said to applause from a crowd of thousands. He said the war “provoked...

The Kilogram Is Losing Weight

Jim O'Neill — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:31:46 CST

To a casual observer, the plum-sized chunk of metal that rests inside a sealed, underground vault near Paris is unremarkable. But to scientists, the cylinder of platinum and iridium is one of the constants upon which science is based. It weighs exactly 1 kilogram, or at least it used to,...

Pull Over, Father

Kevin Spak — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:08:36 CDT

Irish priests are carping about a government proposal to lower the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers from .08 to .05, fearing that communion wine may make them legally drunk. “I don't like to use the word wine, as it is Christ's blood,” says one priest, “but it still has...