Morning Catholic must-reads: 07/03/13

The College of Cardinals gathered in St Peter’s Basilica yesterday evening for an hour of prayer in union with the Church throughout the world.

American Cardinal Roger Mahony has defended his handling of clerical abuse in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Friends of Mother Teresa have criticised a study by two Canadian researchers claiming that her saintliness was a myth.

Rocco Palmo, George Weigel and Sister Mary Walsh reflect on the cardinals’ decision to stop speaking to the media.

Sandro Magister explains why he thinks Cardinal Timothy Dolan is now the front-runner to be pope.

Cardinal Dolan invites Catholics to join him in a novena to St Joseph to “get us an inspired new Successor of St Peter“.

And a YouTube user has created a song inspired by “Y.M.C.A” by the Village People to promote his candidate for pope (video).

Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.