Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI describes his decision as an “inspiration received from God”, which has served to strengthen the Catholic faith in the world.
Although millions of people around the globe cheered when Benedict XVI resigned from his position as the pope last week, one angry Catholic priest expressed his outrage over Benedict's decision to step down from leadership by burning his picture during Sunday mass.
Pope Benedict slips quietly from the world stage on Thursday after a private last goodbye to his cardinals and a short flight to a country palace to enter the final phase of his life "hidden from the world".
Pope Benedict XVI gave his final General audience address in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Wednesday, just a day before he becomes the first pope to voluntarily step down in 600 years.
Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience on Wednesday, saying he understood the gravity of his decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years but that he had done it for the good of the Roman Catholic Church.
In a break from tradition, a Scottish cardinal said the marriage ban imposed on Catholic priests should be reviewed by the next Pope.
Today, Christians all over the world observe Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent, a period of fasting, prayer and repentance based on the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. The season of Lent ends on Easter.
Dressed in purple papal regalia, Pope Benedict XVI held his last major liturgy earlier today at the Vatican in observance of Ash Wednesday.
Pope Benedict XVI surprised church leaders, laypeople and the world at large when he announced he would resign his position, citing ill health. He is the first pope to step down in 500 years. Who will succeed him?
Pope Benedict XVI shocked the entire world today after announcing that he was resigning as head of the Roman Catholic Church. The pope is the first to resign since Pope Gregory XII resigned almost 600 years in 1415.
Pope Benedict surprised the world on Monday by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with the demands of his ministry, becoming the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages and leaving his aides "incredulous".
The pope is urging the faithful to use Twitter to evangelize.
President Barack Obama received support of his gun control legislation from the right places - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Pope Benedict XVI is getting his own Twitter handle: @pontifex.
