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Italy

More than 65,000 pay their final respects to Pope Benedict XVI

The body of the retired pontiff will be displayed in an open casket for three days before his funeral on Thursday.

Vatican

Pope Francis leads tributes to former Pope Benedict, who died age 95

Benedict died on Saturday morning in the monastery in the Vatican gardens where he had retired.

Vatican

'Elegant demon': Pope warns Vatican workers over sense of superiority

The leader of the Catholic Church criticised Vatican bureaucrats, telling the Holy See faithful that they "could easily fall into the temptation" of acting holier than thou or feeling like they are better than the rest.

Vatican

Pope Francis signed resignation letter in 2013 in case of bad health

Francis, who turned 86 on Saturday and appears to be in good health except for a knee ailment, made the comment in an interview with a Spanish newspaper.

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Italy

Over 600 sex abuse cases sent to Vatican, Italy's bishops reveal

A report presented by the Italian bishops’ conference at a packed conference in Rome's lavish Renaissance Pio Palace on Thursday identified 89 presumed victims and some 68 people accused.

Vatican

Vatican to investigate French cardinal who admitted abusing teenager

The prosecutor's office in Marseille opened a preliminary investigation for "aggravated sexual assault" against Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard on Tuesday.

Poland

Men acquitted over toppling statue of priest suspected of child abuse

The incident was a symbolic moment in Poland's reckoning with clerical abuse.

France

French cardinal confesses to sexually abusing teenage girl

The latest sex abuse revelations come just a year after a shocking report set out in detail the extent of criminal abuse in the Catholic Church in France since 1950.

Ireland

Irish bishop and politicians condemn priest's 'disgraceful' comments

The Bishop of Kerry has apologised for the "deep upset and hurt" caused by Father Seán Sheehy who described transgenderism as "lunatic" and said gay politicians would go to hell.

Earth News

Bring back meat free Fridays and slash emissions, study urges Pope

The Catholic tradition of abstaining from meat on a Friday dates back to the 9th century - but many have ditched it in recent decades.

Ireland

New law gives adoptees from Ireland access to birth records

Irish officials have hailed the legislation as a landmark step towards making amends for a long, dark chapter in the country's history.

Belgium

Belgian bishops agree to bless same-sex unions, defying Vatican

Flemish bishops issued a document allowing the blessings of same-sex unions, defying the Vatican's ruling

Spain

Court upholds ex-priest's 30-year sentence for abusing children

The man sexually assaulted seven boys at a boarding school between 2013 and 2016.

Vatican

Pope Francis creates 20 new cardinals who may choose his successor

Sixteen of the 20 new cardinals are under the age of 80, and therefore eligible to vote for the next pope.

Canada

Pope prays for healing after 'terrible effects of colonisation'

Pope Francis prayed for healing from what he called the "terrible effects of colonisation" as he led a pilgrimage to Lac St. Anne on Tuesday in Canada.

Canada

Pope to beg forgiveness for 'evil' done to indigenous Canadians

The Pontiff will apologise to Indigenous leaders and residential school survivors. The visit marks a radical rethink of the Catholic Church’s missionary legacy, spurred on by the first pope from the Americas and the discovery of hundreds of probable graves at the school sites.

Art

Curse-fearing thief returns 2000-year-old sacred relic

A Dutch art sleuth has tracked down one of the most sacred artefacts of the Catholic Church.

Germany

Report finds 196 German clerics abused children in Münster diocese

The research found that there were at least 610 victims of abuse in the diocese over 75 years, but the true number could be as high as 6,000.

Germany

German priest found dead after being suspended over abuse allegations

The diocese in Limburg said the news had "hit them hard" and "raises many questions".

Germany

Church convicts Catholic ex-priest of abusing boy for several years

The man was ordered to pay 10% of his income to a charity that supports victims of abuse.