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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

Two months after his resignation, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI returns to live in Vatican City at the Mater Ecclesiae.
2013-05-2

Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation, effective February 28 at 8pm CET (7pm UTC). He will become the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.
2013-02-11

A court in the Vatican finds Pope Benedict XVI's former butler Paolo Gabriele guilty of theft for stealing and leaking confidential documents and sentences Gabriele to 18 months' imprisonment.
2012-10-6

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

To mark Pope Benedict XVI’s 85th birthday, a concert is held in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. The managing director of the Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig states that playing for the Pope is the pinnacle of the orchestra’s history.
2012-04-20

Pope Benedict XVI delivers the annual Christmas message at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.
2011-12-25

Pope Benedict XVI blesses Easter Mass in Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City, calling for diplomacy and dialogue to bring ongoing events in Libya to a peaceful conclusion.
2011-04-24

Pope Benedict XVI canonises Mary MacKillop, the first Australian saint, in front of 50,000 people in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican City.
2010-10-17

Pope Benedict XVI makes an explicit promise that the Roman Catholic Church will take action against child sexual abuse by priests.
2010-04-21