Pope Benedict resignation
Tuesday 30 April, 2013 13:37:32
Benedict to spend retirement at Vatican gardens home
Retired Pope Benedict XVI is to move into his new retirement home in the Vatican gardens on Thursday.Tuesday 12 March, 2013 18:54:24
Black smoke after first papal vote
Black smoke has risen above the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, confirming there has been no agreement as yet (ie no two thirds majority) on the next Pope.Saturday 02 March, 2013 09:12:02
Benedict signed 'no-tweeting' order before stepping aside
It has emerged that one of Pope Benedict's final acts in charge at the Vatican was to sign an order ensuring no tweeting or texting from the conclave.Thursday 28 February, 2013 22:39:16
Benedict departs the Vatican stage
Pope Benedict XVI left the Catholic Church in unprecedented limbo today as he became the first pope in 600 years to resign, capping a tearful day of farewells that included an extraordinary pledge of obedience to his successor.Thursday 28 February, 2013 19:35:20
Guards signal end of Benedict papacy
Benedict XVI has become the first pope in 600 years to resign, ending an eight-year pontificate shaped by struggles to move the church past sex abuse scandals and to reawaken Christianity in an indifferent world.Thursday 28 February, 2013 17:50:22
Special mass in Dublin to mark Pope Benedict XVI resignation
A special mass is taking place at the Pro Cathedral in Dublin to mark Pope Benedict's resignation today.Thursday 28 February, 2013 16:35:53
Pope Benedict XVI leaves Vatican for last time
Benedict XVI has left the Vatican for the last time as pope, flying by helicopter to the Vatican’s vacation retreat hours before becoming the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.Monday 25 February, 2013 12:33:13
Benedict changes rules for electing new Pope
The Pope has changed the rules of the conclave that will elect his successor, allowing cardinals to bring forward the start date if all of them arrive in Rome before the usual 15-day transition between pontificates.Sunday 24 February, 2013 11:47:52
Pope gives final Sunday blessing; says 'I'm not abandoning the Church'
Pope Benedict XVI has given his final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people in St Peter’s Square, Rome.Monday 18 February, 2013 12:00:43
Benedict begins retreat ahead of resignation
Pope Benedict the 16th has begun a week-long private spiritual retreat ahead of his resignation at the end of the month.Sunday 17 February, 2013 13:05:33
Thousands attend Pope's blessing
Pope Benedict XVI blessed the faithful from his window overlooking St Peter’s Square for the first time since announcing his resignation today, cheered by an emotional crowd of tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the world.Saturday 16 February, 2013 12:32:08
Vatican says early papal conclave possible
The Vatican is raising the possibility that the conclave to elect the next pope might start earlier than March 15, the earliest date possible under current rules that require a 15-20 day waiting period after the papacy becomes vacant.Thursday 14 February, 2013 15:52:38
Pope hit his head on Mexico trip
Pope Benedict XVI hit his head during his March 2012 trip to Mexico, the Vatican says, denying it had any “relevant” role in his resignation.Thursday 14 February, 2013 08:49:26
Origin of next Pope 'irrelevant'
The head of one of the world's largest Roman Catholic archdiocese and thought to be a leading Latin American contender to succeed Pope Benedict XVI said neither nationality nor age should matter in picking the next pontiff.Wednesday 13 February, 2013 10:47:47
Pope: I'm resigning for good of the Church
The Pope has told the faithful in his first public appearance since announcing his resignation that he is stepping down for “the good of the Church”.Tuesday 12 February, 2013 13:12:46
Quiet life beckons for Benedict
The pope is planning to stay out of the public eye following his retirement at the end of the month and will probably not even write any more, his brother said after talking with him.Monday 11 February, 2013 15:08:18
Vatican prepares to elect new Pope
The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI today has set in motion a complex sequence of events to elect the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Monday 11 February, 2013 13:07:12
Taoiseach pays tribute to Pope's 'strong leadership'
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has paid tribute to Pope Benedict XVI today following the pontiff's decision to resign. Monday 11 February, 2013 12:53:26
Benedict's brother: Doctor ruled out transatlantic trips
Pope Benedict's brother Georg Ratzinger said the pontiff had been advised by his doctor not to take any more transatlantic trips and had been considering stepping down for months. Monday 11 February, 2013 12:01:05
Pope Benedict profile: The Pope who tamed his own 'Rottweiler' image
Pope Benedict XVI has a reputation as a charming and shy man who is also deeply conservative in his outlook and teaching.
Monday 11 February, 2013 11:40:51
Pope Benedict: I'm too old to be Pope
Pope Benedict is to resign his office at the end of this month after declaring he was too old to carry on as head of the Catholic Church. Monday 11 February, 2013 11:03:29
Vatican: Pope will resign on February 28
A Vatican spokesperson has said Pope Benedict will resign on February 28. It is believed the resignation will take effect at 7pm Irish time on that date.Monday 11 February, 2013 10:52:19
Pope Benedict to resign - reports
A number of news agencies are reporting that Pope Benedict has announced his intention to resign.
»newsflash