Benedict XVI Latest News

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

The Latest

Pope Benedict XVI at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany in 2005.

PHOTOS: Key moments from Benedict XVI’s papacy

Dec 31, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A snapshot of Benedict XVI’s papacy in photos. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2006.

A timeline of Pope Benedict XVI’s extraordinary life

Dec 31, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Benedict XVI led an extraordinary life that included a wartime childhood in Nazi Germany, a key role at the... Read more

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Benedict XVI dead at 95: The ‘humble worker’ and his legacy of hope to the Catholic Church

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, bringing to a close the momentous life of a... Read more

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died on Dec. 31, 2022, at age 95.

BREAKING: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies at age 95

Dec 31, 2022

By Matthew Bunson, AC Wimmer

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, a leading theologian of the 20th century and the first pope to resign from office in... Read more

Catholics attending a special Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Lateran Basilica in Rome, Dec. 30, 2022.

‘Trust in Providence’: Faithful pray for Benedict XVI at special Mass in Rome

Dec 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

In a special Mass for Benedict XVI at the Basilica of St. John Lateran on Friday afternoon, the faithful joined... Read more

Reception of Pope Benedict XVI from Federal President Christian Wulff at Schloss Bellevue on Sept. 22, 2012, in Berlin, Germany.

Vatican: Benedict XVI has rested well, his condition is stable

Dec 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

The Vatican said on Friday that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had rested well and that his condition was unchanged. Read more

A detail of Tsarkova’s painting showing Benedict XVI’s pectoral cross, his fisherman’s ring, and his rosary.

Benedict’s serious illness raises questions about pope emeritus protocols

Dec 29, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The end of a reigning pope’s life is observed by a series of very well-timed and well-understood rites. But what... Read more

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis

Rome Diocese to offer Mass for Benedict XVI

Dec 29, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Let us accompany our dear bishop emeritus in his moment of suffering and trial,” Cardinal De Donatis said. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 26, 2006.

Vatican: Benedict XVI’s condition serious but stable

Dec 29, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Although his condition remains serious, the situation at the moment is stable,” the Vatican said on Thursday. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square on the occasion of the Beatification of Pope John Paul II on May 1, 2011, in Vatican City, Rome.

The most frequently asked questions about Pope Benedict XVI

Dec 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

The news that Pope Benedict XVI is ill has sparked renewed interest in the details of his pontificate and his... Read more

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI greets Colombian Cardinal Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal at the retired pope's Vatican residence on Aug. 27, 2022.

Vatican shares prayer for Benedict XVI’s health

Dec 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis asked Catholics to pray for the “very ill” pope emeritus. Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Nov. 9, 2022

Vatican: Benedict XVI under medical care as health takes sudden turn

Dec 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis visited the 95-year-old pope emeritus after his Wednesday general audience. Read more

Pope Francis visits Benedict XVI on Aug. 27th, 2022

Pope Francis: Pray for a ‘very ill’ Benedict XVI

Dec 28, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI is 95 years old. Read more

Pope Francis visits Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in Vatican City to exchange Christmas greetings Dec. 23, 2013.

Pope Francis: Benedict XVI was ‘leader’ in responding to sexual abuse

Nov 28, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis said his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was a leader in “taking responsibility” and responding with transparency to... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Nov. 9, 2022

Benedict XVI tells Ukrainian archbishop: ‘I continue to pray for peace’

Nov 10, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

“The power of prayer keeps the Ukrainian people alive, so I ask you to continue praying for peace in Ukraine.” Read more

Natalia Tsarkova works on a portrait of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in her studio in central Rome.

From ‘real life’: Papal artist unveils painting of Benedict XVI as pope emeritus

Nov 3, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The artist unveiled the painting, which took four years to create, during a ceremony on Nov. 3 in Palazzo Cesi,... Read more

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Benedict XVI reflects on Vatican II in new letter

Oct 21, 2022

By AC Wimmer, Shannon Mullen

The letter provides fresh observations from one of the few remaining theologians to have personally participated in Vatican II, which... Read more

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Benedict XVI writes about ‘inner drama of being a Christian’ in new letter

Sep 23, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In a new letter, Benedict XVI praised the story of a woman who lived “the inner drama of being a... Read more

Queen Elizabeth II attend the Trooping of the Colour in London, England, June 16, 2012. | Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster delivering a speech at the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, Aug. 23, 2018.

Updated: Cardinal Nichols pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death at 96

Sep 8, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

“Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude... Read more

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

International website dedicated to Benedict XVI aims to be a ‘beacon in stormy seas’

Aug 30, 2022

By AC Wimmer

After a website dedicated to Benedict XVI received thousands of congratulations in 24 languages on the occasion of his 95th... Read more