Offstream
news

Pope Benedict XVI addresses ambassadors and diplomats from nearly 180 countries gathered in the Apostolic Palace’s Sala Regia. They are present for the Pope’s traditional address to members of the diplomatic corps who are accredited to the Holy See. Pope Benedict urges an end to the “slaughter” in Syria and stresses the “grave responsibility” to work for peace around the world.
2013-01-7

A statement from the Vatican claims it is not possible to strip Savile of his papal knighthood over his involvement in the sexual abuse scandal because the honour ceased to exist upon his death. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi makes it known that the Vatican is "deeply saddened that a person who has been stained by such acts could in his lifetime have been proposed for an honour by the Holy See."
2012-10-27

The Vatican announces Pope Benedict XVI will send a delegation to Damascus to "express his brotherly solidarity with the entire population". [http:--staff.blogs.aljazeera.com-topic-syria-pope-benedict-xvi-will-send-delegation-syrian-capital-express-his-brotherly-solidarity (Al Jazeera)]date=August 2019
2012-10-16

The Vatican orders Pope Benedict XVI's former butler to stand trial for his alleged involvement in leaking allegations of corruption in the Holy See.
2012-08-13

Pope Benedict XVI's butler, Paolo Gabriele, is placed under house arrest while awaiting trial for allegedly leaking confidential papers revealing fraud and disputes within the Vatican.
2012-07-21

The Vatican confirms that the butler to Pope Benedict XVI has been arrested for allegedly leaking confidential documents.
2012-05-26

In his annual Easter message from the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI calls particularly for "an end to the bloodshed" in Syria.
2012-04-8

Pope Benedict XVI appoints a new head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, one of the Vatican’s three top tribunals. Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, who is serving as secretary for the Congregation for Bishops, becomes the new Penitentiary Major. He succeeds Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli, who is retiring at the age of 76.
2012-01-5

Pope Benedict XVI says his personal opinion is that condoms may be used "in exceptional cases" to combat HIV-AIDS, but the Vatican says it has not changed its policy on contraception.
2010-11-21

The Vatican publishes its guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of children in an effort to quell critics.
2010-04-12