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
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
Benedict: The first pope to retire in 600 years In April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger was selected as the successor to Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI was the first German pope since the middle ages and was also the first pope to retire from the position in almost 600 years. Vatican • 31 Dec 22
Benedict: The first pope to retire in 600 years In April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger was selected as the successor to Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict XVI was the first German pope since the middle ages and was also the first pope to retire from the position in almost 600 years. Vatican • 31 Dec 22
Vatican announces death of Emeritus Pope Benedict Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced this morning, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries. World • 31 Dec 22
Vatican announces death of Emeritus Pope Benedict Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced this morning, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries. World • 31 Dec 22
Cardinal on trial taped phone call with Pope Francis A senior cardinal on trial for fraud secretly taped a conversation with Pope Francis where he asked the pontiff to confirm he had approved some secret financial transactions, it has emerged. World • 25 Nov 22
Cardinal on trial taped phone call with Pope Francis A senior cardinal on trial for fraud secretly taped a conversation with Pope Francis where he asked the pontiff to confirm he had approved some secret financial transactions, it has emerged. World • 25 Nov 22
Pope Francis beatifies 'Smiling Pope' John Paul I Thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square today as Pope Francis presided over the beatification of John Paul I, the so-called 'Smiling Pope' who led the Catholic Church for just 33 days before dying in contested circumstances. World • 04 Sep 22
Pope Francis beatifies 'Smiling Pope' John Paul I Thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square today as Pope Francis presided over the beatification of John Paul I, the so-called 'Smiling Pope' who led the Catholic Church for just 33 days before dying in contested circumstances. World • 04 Sep 22
Pope creates 20 new cardinals in Vatican ceremony Pope Francis has inducted 20 cardinals from around the world, choosing men who mostly agree with his vision of a more progressive and inclusive Catholic Church and influencing their choice of his eventual successor. World • 27 Aug 22
Pope creates 20 new cardinals in Vatican ceremony Pope Francis has inducted 20 cardinals from around the world, choosing men who mostly agree with his vision of a more progressive and inclusive Catholic Church and influencing their choice of his eventual successor. World • 27 Aug 22
Pope names women to bishops advisory committee Pope Francis has named three women, two nuns and a lay woman, to a previously all-male committee that advises him in selecting the world's bishops, the Vatican said. World • 13 Jul 22
Pope names women to bishops advisory committee Pope Francis has named three women, two nuns and a lay woman, to a previously all-male committee that advises him in selecting the world's bishops, the Vatican said. World • 13 Jul 22
Pope to give women a say in appointment of bishops Pope Francis has said he wants to give women more top-level positions in the Holy See and disclosed that for the first time he would name women to a previously all-male Vatican committee that helps him select the world's bishops. World • 06 Jul 22
Pope to give women a say in appointment of bishops Pope Francis has said he wants to give women more top-level positions in the Holy See and disclosed that for the first time he would name women to a previously all-male Vatican committee that helps him select the world's bishops. World • 06 Jul 22
Pope Francis dismisses resignation rumours Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month and hopes to be able to go to Moscow and Kyiv as soon as possible after that. World • 04 Jul 22
Pope Francis dismisses resignation rumours Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month and hopes to be able to go to Moscow and Kyiv as soon as possible after that. World • 04 Jul 22
Vatican to publish WWII letters to pope from Jews The Vatican will publish thousands of letters to the pope in an online archive from Jews in Europe seeking help during World War II, including liberation from Nazi concentration camps. World • 23 Jun 22
Vatican to publish WWII letters to pope from Jews The Vatican will publish thousands of letters to the pope in an online archive from Jews in Europe seeking help during World War II, including liberation from Nazi concentration camps. World • 23 Jun 22
Irish Catholics call for more inclusivity Representatives of Catholic dioceses across Ireland will meet tomorrow to discuss feedback from their parishes about the church which will be compiled and sent to the Vatican Ireland • 17 Jun 22
Irish Catholics call for more inclusivity Representatives of Catholic dioceses across Ireland will meet tomorrow to discuss feedback from their parishes about the church which will be compiled and sent to the Vatican Ireland • 17 Jun 22
Cardinal denies financial fraud at Vatican's top court Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first high-ranking cleric to appear before the Vatican's top court, has denied financial fraud charges while revealing a secret deal approved by the pope to free a nun in Mali. World • 05 May 22
Cardinal denies financial fraud at Vatican's top court Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first high-ranking cleric to appear before the Vatican's top court, has denied financial fraud charges while revealing a secret deal approved by the pope to free a nun in Mali. World • 05 May 22
Pope uses wheelchair in public for first time Pope Francis used a wheelchair in public for the first time since a new flare-up of pain in his knee that has limited his ability to walk. World • 05 May 22
Pope uses wheelchair in public for first time Pope Francis used a wheelchair in public for the first time since a new flare-up of pain in his knee that has limited his ability to walk. World • 05 May 22
Pope condemns cruelty of Ukraine war at Easter vigil Pope Francis has condemned the cruelty of the war in Ukraine at an Easter vigil Mass he attended but at which he did not preside, presumably because of leg pain that has forced him to curtail activities. World • 16 Apr 22
Pope condemns cruelty of Ukraine war at Easter vigil Pope Francis has condemned the cruelty of the war in Ukraine at an Easter vigil Mass he attended but at which he did not preside, presumably because of leg pain that has forced him to curtail activities. World • 16 Apr 22
Pope Francis apologises to Canadian indigenous people Pope Francis has apologised to Canadian indigenous people for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools that sought to erase their cultures and where many children were abused. World • 01 Apr 22
Pope Francis apologises to Canadian indigenous people Pope Francis has apologised to Canadian indigenous people for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools that sought to erase their cultures and where many children were abused. World • 01 Apr 22
Man shouting during papal audience detained by police A man interrupted Pope Francis' general audience at the Vatican, shouting "this is not the church of God" in English and waving a medical mask he had removed from his face before being taken away by police. World • 02 Feb 22
Man shouting during papal audience detained by police A man interrupted Pope Francis' general audience at the Vatican, shouting "this is not the church of God" in English and waving a medical mask he had removed from his face before being taken away by police. World • 02 Feb 22
Pope issues call to end violence against women Pope Francis has used his New Year's message to issue a clarion call for an end to violence against women, saying it was insulting to God. World • 01 Jan 22
Pope issues call to end violence against women Pope Francis has used his New Year's message to issue a clarion call for an end to violence against women, saying it was insulting to God. World • 01 Jan 22
Pope names first woman to head Vatican governorate Pope Francis has appointed a woman to head up the governorate of the Vatican, as he forges ahead with a mission to achieve greater gender equality in the Catholic Church. World • 04 Nov 21
Pope names first woman to head Vatican governorate Pope Francis has appointed a woman to head up the governorate of the Vatican, as he forges ahead with a mission to achieve greater gender equality in the Catholic Church. World • 04 Nov 21
Pope to visit Canada after indigenous school scandal Pope Francis will visit Canada as the Catholic Church seeks to rebuild bridges with the indigenous community following a horrifying scandal of abuse at church-run residential schools, the Vatican said. World • 27 Oct 21
Pope to visit Canada after indigenous school scandal Pope Francis will visit Canada as the Catholic Church seeks to rebuild bridges with the indigenous community following a horrifying scandal of abuse at church-run residential schools, the Vatican said. World • 27 Oct 21
John Paul I's step to sainthood after 'miracle' healing The Vatican has recognised a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul I, a step towards sainthood for one of the shortest serving heads of the Catholic Church. World • 13 Oct 21
John Paul I's step to sainthood after 'miracle' healing The Vatican has recognised a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul I, a step towards sainthood for one of the shortest serving heads of the Catholic Church. World • 13 Oct 21
Cardinal on trial as Vatican financial case resumes The trial of a once powerful Catholic cardinal and nine others resumes today at the Vatican over alleged financial fraud and a disastrous London property deal paid for with charity funds. World • 05 Oct 21
Cardinal on trial as Vatican financial case resumes The trial of a once powerful Catholic cardinal and nine others resumes today at the Vatican over alleged financial fraud and a disastrous London property deal paid for with charity funds. World • 05 Oct 21
Ex-US cardinal charged with sexual assault of teenager Former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy, court documents show. US • 29 Jul 21
Ex-US cardinal charged with sexual assault of teenager Former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy, court documents show. US • 29 Jul 21
'Rotten' Vatican financial scandal trial is postponed Vatican magistrates today postponed an historic trial over alleged financial fraud relating to Catholic charity funds, giving the defence until October to prepare for the complex case. World • 27 Jul 21
'Rotten' Vatican financial scandal trial is postponed Vatican magistrates today postponed an historic trial over alleged financial fraud relating to Catholic charity funds, giving the defence until October to prepare for the complex case. World • 27 Jul 21
Learn to switch off, says pope in public address Pope Francis made his first public appearance since returning to the Vatican mid-week after an 11-day hospital stay, telling well wishers they should take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. World • 18 Jul 21
Learn to switch off, says pope in public address Pope Francis made his first public appearance since returning to the Vatican mid-week after an 11-day hospital stay, telling well wishers they should take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. World • 18 Jul 21
Pope to lead Sunday Angelus prayer from hospital Pope Francis will lead Sunday's Angelus prayer from the Rome hospital where he is recovering from colon surgery, the Vatican said. World • 09 Jul 21
Pope to lead Sunday Angelus prayer from hospital Pope Francis will lead Sunday's Angelus prayer from the Rome hospital where he is recovering from colon surgery, the Vatican said. World • 09 Jul 21
