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Pope Benedict in Leon in Mexico in 2012 shortly a year before he resigned

Insomnia drove late Pope Benedict to resign - report

Recently deceased ex-pope Benedict described years of persistent sleeping troubles as the "main reason" behind his shock decision to step down in 2013, according to a German media report.

World • 27 Jan 23

The body of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica

Tens of thousands pay tribute to Emeritus Pope Benedict

Tens of thousands of people have paid their respects to former pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, at the start of three days of lying-in-state at St Peter's Basilica before his funeral.

World • 02 Jan 23

Vatican preparations for Benedict funeral under way

The Vatican is currently preparing for a week that will culminate in the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict presided over by Pope Francis.

News • 01 Jan 23

Delivering his Sunday Angelus prayer in front of thousands gathered in St Peter's Square, the pope bowed his head in a moment of silence in memory of the late pontiff

Pope hails 'beloved' Benedict during New Year's service

Pope Francis has hailed the "beloved" Benedict XVI as he addressed thousands of Catholics in New Year's Day services at the Vatican, the day after his predecessor died aged 95.

World • 01 Jan 23

The Pope Emeritus has been widely praised for his theological work

Pope Francis pays tribute to 'noble' Emeritus Benedict

Pope Francis has paid tribute to his "dearest" predecessor Benedict XVI, who died earlier today at the age of 95.

World • 31 Dec 22

Pope Emeritus Benedict once had to tell those who pined for his pontificate that there was only one pope, and it was Francis

Retired pope was rarely seen - but he was heard

When Pope Benedict shocked the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 by announcing he would resign instead of ruling for life, he promised to stay in the Vatican "hidden from the world".

World • 31 Dec 22

Pope Francis with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (file image)

Pope Emeritus Benedict 'stable' and took part in mass

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's condition remains stable, the Vatican said today, as Catholics prayed for the 95-year-old former pontiff whose health has seriously deteriorated.

World • 30 Dec 22

Pope Emeritus Benedict pictured during a meeting with newly named cardinals at the Vatican in August

Pope Emeritus Benedict's condition 'grave' but stable

Pope Francis said Wednesday that Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries, is "very ill" and urged people to pray for him.

World • 29 Dec 22

Former Pope Benedict acknowledged 'errors occurred' in handling of abuse allegations

Benedict acknowledges errors on handling of abuse cases

Former Pope Benedict has acknowledged that errors occurred in the handling of sexual abuse cases while he was Archbishop of Munich decades ago, but did not directly address allegations in a report that he mishandled four cases.

World • 08 Feb 22

The former pontiff now lives in a small former monastery inside the Vatican

Benedict has 'painful but not grave ailment' - Vatican

The Vatican said former pope Benedict XVI is overcoming a "painful but not grave ailment" that was "not particularly worrying".

World • 04 Aug 20

Pope Francis (L) with former pope Benedict in December 2018

Ex-pope Benedict wants name removed from new book

Former pope Benedict wants his name removed as co-author of a new book on the issue of priestly celibacy, his personal secretary has said, claiming his name was erroneously attributed as co-author to a new book.

World • 15 Jan 20

The former Pope says his physical strength is in 'slow decline'

Former Pope Benedict XVI ready for final 'pilgrimage'

The former Pope, Benedict XVI has hinted that he is nearing the end of his life and is ready for what he described as his final "pilgrimage".

News • 07 Feb 18

Benedict described difficult moments during his eight years as pope

Former pope Benedict says he struggled in role

Former pope Benedict has acknowledged he was a better professor than a leader, revealing in a new book that he sometimes struggled to take decisions during his time in charge of the scandal-plagued Vatican.

News • 09 Sep 16

Scores more were defrocked in the preceding years, after Benedict XVI, the Vatican's former chief doctrine enforcer, was elected in 2005 to replace John Paul II

Pope defrocked hundreds of priests over abuse

The Vatican has revealed that 400 priests were defrocked during two years of the pontificate of now pope emeritus Benedict XVI for child sex abuse crimes.

News • 18 Jan 14

Pope Benedict became the first pontiff to step down in 600 years

Benedict says God told him to resign

Former Pope Benedict has said he resigned after "God told me to" during what he called a "mystical experience", a Catholic news agency has reported.

News • 21 Aug 13

Benedict will no longer wear the red papal shoes

Benedict XVI steps down from papacy

A member of the Swiss Guard has closed the doors of Castel Gandolfo signifying the end of Pope Benedict XVI's pontificate.

News • 01 Mar 13

Pope Benedict is the first pontiff to resign in over six centuries

Pope Benedict bids farewell in final address

Pope Benedict XVI has bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience, saying he understands the gravity of his decision but is retiring for the good of the Roman Catholic Church.

News • 28 Feb 13

The Pope's ring of office will be destroyed according to Vatican tradition

Vatican details Pope protocol after resignation

Pope Benedict will keep the honorific title of "His Holiness" after he abdicates and will be known as "pope emeritus," the Vatican has said.

News • 27 Feb 13

Cardinal Keith O'Brien is originally from Ballycastle in Co Antrim

Pope accepts Cardinal Keith O'Brien's resignation

Britain's most senior Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, is stepping down as the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

News • 25 Feb 13

Crowds began gathering in St Peter's Square from early this morning

Pope tells Rome crowds exit is 'God's wish'

Pope Benedict has told crowds at his final Sunday blessing as Pope that he is following God’s wishes by stepping down.

News • 24 Feb 13

Any changes considered by Pope may affect the timing of the start of the conclave

Pope Benedict considers change to conclave rules

Pope Benedict may change Catholic Church rules governing the conclave where cardinals will meet next month to secretly elect his successor.

News • 21 Feb 13

Larger than normal crowds attended the prayers in St Peter's Square

Pope asks faithful to pray for his successor

Pope Benedict, speaking before a larger than usual crowd from his balcony in St Peter’s Square in Rome, asked the faithful to pray for him and for the next pope.

News • 18 Feb 13

La Stampa reported that the Pope hit his head and bled during his Mexico trip

Pope to be 'hidden from world' after retirement

Pope Benedict has said he will be "hidden from the world" after he abdicates from the Papacy in two weeks time.

News • 15 Feb 13

Pope Benedict XVI waves upon arrival for his weekly general audience at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican

Conclave to choose next pope to start in mid March

The Vatican has said the conclave to decide the successor to Pope Benedict XVI will start as early as 15 March.

News • 13 Feb 13

Pope Benedict said he is stepping down for health reasons

Pope Benedict to resign on 28 February

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI will step down on 28 February for health reasons, a Vatican spokesman said he remain in "full charge" of the Church until then.

News • 12 Feb 13