Benedict

Pope Francis tells Benedict: ‘We’re brothers’

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) – The two men in white embraced and showed one another the deference owed a pope in ways that surely turned Vatican protocol upside down: A reigning pope telling a retired one, “We are brothers,”

2013/03/23

Top contenders to be the next pope

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals from around the world gather this week in a conclave to elect a new pope. Several names have come up repeatedly as strong contenders. Here is a look at who they are:

2013/03/10

Pope Benedict XVI greets crowd from window at Castel Gandolfo after leaving the Vatican, Castelgandolfo, Italy. (AP Photo)

Benedict becomes 1st pope in 600 years to resign

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI left the Catholic Church in unprecedented limbo Thursday as he became the first pope in 600 years to resign, capping a tearful day of farewells that included an extraordinary pledge of obedience to his successor.

2013/02/28

Pope gives final Sunday blessing before resigning

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI bestowed his final Sunday blessing of his pontificate on a cheering crowd in St. Peter’s Square, explaining that his waning years and energy made him better suited to the life of private prayer he soon will spend in a secluded monastery.

2013/02/24