Offstream
news

In a letter published by the Vatican, ex-Pope Benedict XVI expresses "my profound shame, my deep sorrow and my heartfelt request for forgiveness," in response to inquiry into his handling of child sex abuse when he was Archbishop of Munich and Freising between 1977 and 1982. In a statement published with the letter, his aides insist that "as an archbishop, Cardinal Ratzinger was not involved in any cover-up of acts of abuse".
2022-02-8

Pope Benedict's official biographer, Peter Seewald, reports former pope is "very frail" since his return from visiting his older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, in Bavaria. His personal secretary, Archbishop George Ganswein, states "the health conditions are not of particular concern, except for those of a 93 year old who is going through a painful, but not serious, disease."
2020-08-3

Pope Francis creates 19 new cardinals in a ceremony at St Peter's Basilica in Rome. In addition, the Pope emeritus Benedict XVI makes his first public appearance at the Vatican since his resignation in 2013.
2014-02-22

Pope Benedict XVI pardons his former butler Paolo Gabriele following his recent conviction for stealing confidential documents.
2012-12-22

Pope Benedict XVI meets with a delegation from the Latin American Jewish Congress, and speaks about progress in relations between the two faiths in the past 50 years.
2012-05-10

The Vatican will issue guidelines for bishops, on how to combat sexual abuse within the church.
2010-11-20

The Pope blames the clerical child abuse scandal on "sin within" the Church while on his trip to Portugal.
2010-05-11

The Vatican downplays the incident and says it will continue to visit despite the diplomatic gaffe.
2010-04-25

Ten Maltese men, who have taken three priests to court on charges of child abuse, request a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Malta this weekend. [http:--in.reuters.com-article-worldNews-idINIndia-47636020100412 (Reuters India)] [http:--www.bostonherald.com-news-international-europe-view-20100412maltese_victims_want_to_meet_pope_on_island-srvc=home&position=recent ("Boston Herald")]date=August 2019
2010-04-12

Pope Benedict XVI is "distraught" by news alleged of child sexual abuse in Catholic dioceses in Germany, according to Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, as the church also faces paedophilia scandals in Ireland, Austria, and the Netherlands, while Pope Benedict defends clerical celibacy, calling it a symbol of "full devotion" and of "giving oneself to God and to others."
2010-03-12