Benedict XVI Latest News

Read the latest news regarding the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, his life, and his legacy.

The Latest

Joseph Cardinal Zen is bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

Cardinal Zen discusses his new book for Lent and concerns for the Church

Feb 2, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

In an interview with Raymond Arroyo, Cardinal Joseph Zen discussed his new book “Cardinal Zen’s Lenten Reflections” and recent matters... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI on April 21, 2007, in Vigevano, Italy.

4 kernels of wisdom from Pope Benedict XVI’s last message to the world

Dec 31, 2023

By Isabel Barry

On the first anniversary of the former pope's death, we look at his final work, “What Is Christianity? The Last... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI on May 11, 2010.

EWTN to air conference on Pope Benedict XVI one year after his death

Dec 29, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

A conference titled “Remembering Benedict XVI: Life, Teaching, Legacy” will be held in Rome on Dec. 30–31 and will air... Read more

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is greeted by Pope Francis during the Ordinary Public Consistory at St. Peter’s Basilica on Feb. 14, 2015.

‘Benedict trusted Francis. But he was bitterly disappointed,’ biographer says in new interview

Dec 29, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Pope Benedict XVI’s biographer, Peter Seewald, has raised concerns about how Pope Francis is managing the legacy of his predecessor.  Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Vatican to publish private homilies of Pope Benedict XVI

Dec 27, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Vatican Publishing House said this month that it intends to release a book of about 130 homilies given by... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI on April 21, 2007, in Vigevano, Italy.

Did Pope Benedict XVI really say the devil wants to destroy Spain?

Nov 15, 2023

By Diego López Marina

A supposed comment by the late Pope Benedict XVI concerning Spain and the devil has been circulating on social media... Read more

Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City State, where a group of Benedictine nuns from Argentina will take up residence in January 2024 at the invitation of Pope Francis.

After Benedict XVI’s death, Vatican monastery to be home to Benedictine nuns

Nov 13, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Benedict XVI spent his retirement at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery until his death on Dec. 31, 2022. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

First Ratzinger Prize winners since Pope Benedict's death go to two Spanish theologians

Nov 10, 2023

By Matt McDonald

While Pope Francis ordinarily presents each award personally, this year the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, plans to... Read more

Pope Francis prayed for the repose of the souls of Pope Benedict XVI and the cardinals and bishops who died in the past year during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 3, 2023.

Pope Francis: Like Benedict XVI, be ‘humble laborers’ for the Church

Nov 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis presided at a Mass for the repose of the souls of Pope Benedict XVI and the six cardinals... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein was the personal secretary of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Event in Spain headlined by Archbishop Gänswein abruptly canceled

Oct 19, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The Fundación Universitaria Española surprisingly canceled an event announced weeks ago that was going to feature Benedict XVI’s personal secretary. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI at the World Family Meeting in Milan with Cardinal Angelo Scola on June 4, 2012.

Pectoral cross of Benedict XVI stolen from Bavarian church

Jun 20, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A pectoral cross bequeathed by the late Pope Benedict XVI to a parish in his native Bavaria has been stolen... Read more

The Frauenkirche, the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

Prosecutors drop case of alleged ‘cover up’ against Benedict XVI

Mar 22, 2023

By AC Wimmer

A potential legal case against Pope Benedict XVI over his handling of abuse during his time as archbishop of Munich... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein was the personal secretary of the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Benedict’s personal secretary searches for five cousins who are heirs of the late pontiff

Mar 21, 2023

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Archbishop Georg Gänswein explained that he thought there were two direct heirs. However, he was surprised to learn that there... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Easter Vigil in St. Peter's Basilica on March 26, 2005, in Vatican City.

God, creation, and humanity: The ‘lost lectures’ of Benedict XVI collected in new book

Feb 19, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Six lectures of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger were almost lost forever. But now, they have been collected in a new Ignatius... Read more

WYD Sydney - July 15 - 20, 2008

Benedict XVI describes ‘Protestantization’ of the Eucharist in posthumous publication

Feb 8, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Benedict XVI’s essay on the Eucharist is part of a series of texts the pope emeritus wrote after his... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to journalists on Feb. 5, 2023, during his flight back to Rome after his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Pope Francis: Partisans have used Benedict XVI’s death ‘to serve their own interests’

Feb 5, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Benedict XVI was “not a bitter man,” Pope Francis said, speaking during his inflight press conference Feb. 5 of his... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein celebrates Mass in the Vatican crypt close to the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI on Jan. 31, 2023, to mark one month since the death of the pope emeritus on Dec. 31, 2022.

Archbishop Gänswein celebrates Mass for Benedict XVI one month after pope’s death

Feb 1, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope emeritus’ longtime personal secretary offered the Mass in the Vatican crypt close to Benedict’s tomb in the presence... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI revealed in a letter to his biographer that insomnia was the "central reason" why resigned in 2013.

Letter from Benedict XVI reveals the ‘central motive’ for his resignation, biographer says

Jan 29, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Benedict XVI said he had suffered from chronic insomnia since the early days of his pontificate, according to a letter... Read more

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict embrace each other at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, June 30, 2015.

‘I lost a dad’: Pope Francis speaks about losing Benedict XVI

Jan 25, 2023

By AC Wimmer

In an interview with the AP, Pope Francis spoke about his relationship with his predecessor, Benedict XVI. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Cardinal Mario Grech in 2022

Cardinal Grech: Benedict XVI was misunderstood throughout his life

Jan 21, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Incomprehension was a constant factor in the life and mission of this man,” Cardinal Mario Grech said. Read more