Pope Benedict XVI

In his first public comments on the latest scandal rocking the Vatican, Pope Francis told followers in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday that the theft of documents describing financial malfeasance inside the Holy See was a “crime” but pledged to continue reforms of its administration.

The smoke emerging from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel chimney and the subsequent ringing of the bells on Wednesday has signaled that the Conclave has elected a new pope of the Catholic Church.

Whether this is the stuff of myth or legend we do not know, but like Celestine V, we can be certain that Benedict XVI’s resignation will leave it’s mark on history.

Pope’s retirement package: After Pope Benedict XVI retires, he will get a 2,500-euro pension, a home in the Vatican, and other amenities. How does his retirement package compare with others?

Pope Benedict XVI is only the second pope in the Church’s history we know to have resigned of his own free will—several others have stepped down under circumstances only hazily preserved by history.

The world of papal betting gives and unlikely window into the most popular candidates.

It is uncertain who will succeed Pope Benedict XVI, but it is certain that whoever it is will take over a troubled Curia.

Pope Benedict XVI’s address at his final weekly audience on Wednesday acknowledged the seriousness of his papal vow—its “always and forever”—while describing the hardships of the nearly eight years that have passed since he took it.

Pope Benedict XVI gave his final audience in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City State, starting at 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday. The Pope will formally abdicate on Thursday, citing health and advancing age as his reasons.

Pope Benedict XVI gives his final audience to tens of thousands gathered at the Vatican. Vatican Radio reported that up to 200,000 are expected, with 50,000 having pre-registered.

The former butler for Pope Benedict XVI denied charges that he stole confidential documents from the pontiff’s private apartment.

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cuba on Monday; the first time a pontiff has done so since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1997.

The pope arrived in Berlin on Thursday for his first-ever state visit to Germany and will stay in the country for four days, according to media reports.

A suspected terrorist threat to Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the UK is evaporating after a thorough investigation that lasted three days.

Pope Benedict XVI began his visit to the UK in Scotland, ending his first day leading a huge open air mass in Glasgow.

Dublin’s catholic archdiocese confirmed on Wednesday that two auxiliary bishops tenders for resignation were turned down.