Pope Benedict XVI News

Morning Mass will be held Tuesday, in St Peter's Basilica, before eligible cardinals are closeted away in conclave as they begin the process to elect a new Pope.

Imperia - An Italian priest Father Andrea Maggi from a rural parish in northwestern Italy, set a photo of ex-Pope Benedict XVI on fire, accusing him of "abandoning his flock."

Pope Benedict yesterday closed his Twitter account before vacating the position of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, and leaving the Vatican.

Rome - In his final public gesture as leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict says goodbye to tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

According to the Vatican sources, Pope Benedict XVI will be known by the title of "pope emeritus" after his resignation and will still be referred to as "Your Holiness."

Edinburgh - The recently embattled Archbishop of Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has announced he is resigning his position effective immediately.

Rome - St. Peter's square was packed with tens of thousands of pilgrims as Pope Benedict gave his last blessing to the faithful and others that came to see the Pope. The Pope will steps down on Thursday, saying his health and age meant he could not continue.

Rome - The Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica has linked Pope Benedict XVI's resignation to a Vatican report that details the discovery of a network of gay prelates in the Vatican, some of whom are allegedly being blackmailed by "outsiders."

Rome - By remaining in the Vatican after resigning later this month, Pope Benedict XVI will enjoy immunity from prosecution in connection with the global epidemic of clergy sex abuse claims.

The United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) issued a scathing report, accusing the United States of failing to properly deal with "sexual abuse committed by clerics and leading members of certain faith-based organizations."