John Paul II lookalike arrested for ‘usurpation of title’

Wearing a crucifix, a skull cap and a white cassock, he is the spitting image of the late John Paul II.

But a performer who has been entertaining tourists in Rome in recent weeks with his striking resemblance to the former Polish Pope has been arrested (more…)

Two Popes now at the Vatican

Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI back to the Vatican on Thursday afternoon.

The now retired Pope Benedict had been living at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo since he formally stepped down as head of 1.2 billion Catholics around the world (more…)

2 popes get together for first time in 600 years

Newly elected Pope Francis has met his predecessor for lunch, the first time such a meeting has been possible for more than 600 years.

Pope Francis was flown by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo for the private lunch with Pope Emeritus Benedict. (more…)

Papal vote preparations begin in earnest at Vatican

Roman Catholic cardinals filed into the Vatican on Monday for preliminary meetings to sketch an identikit for the next pope and ponder who among them might be best to lead a church beset by crises. (more…)

Pope Benedict XVI departs Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI left Vatican City Thursday for the last time as leader of the billion-member Roman Catholic Church, and he headed by helicopter to his summer residence where he is due to spend the last hours of his pontificate before stepping down. (more…)

Benedict XVI to keep his name and become Pope Emeritus

Pope Benedict XVI will keep the name Benedict XVI and become the Roman pontiff emeritus or pope emeritus, theVatican announced on Tuesday, putting an end to days of speculation on how the pope will be addressed once he ceases to be the leader of the world’s 1.1 billion Roman Catholics on Thursday. (more…)

Pope resigned after reports of blackmail, gay sex and corruption at the Vatican

The Italian media is reporting that Pope Benedict XVI resigned after receiving the results of an internal investigation, delivered in a 300-page, two-volume dossier, that laid bare a sordid tale of blackmail, corruption and gay sex at the Vatican. (more…)

Pope tells cheering crowd ‘ pray for me ‘

Pope Benedict asked the faithful to pray for him and for the next pope, addressing a crowded St. Peter’s Square in his penultimate Sunday address before becoming the first pontiff in centuries to resign.

The crowd chanted “Long live the pope!,” waved banners and broke into sustained applause as he spoke from his window. (more…)

Cardinals could meet sooner to choose new pope: Vatican

The cardinals who must pick a successor to Pope Benedict XVI after he steps down on February 28 could meet to make the decision sooner than thought, a Vatican spokesman said Saturday.

The conclave, the meeting which will bring together the 117 cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, could start before March 15 if all the cardinals (more…)

Suleiman: The Lebanese will miss most Pope Benedict XVI

President Michel Suleiman said on Thursday that the Lebanese will be among the people who will most miss Pope Benedict XVI and saluted his “bold and wise decision.”

Suleiman added that hopes Lebanon “will remain in the heart of Pope Benedict”, wishing him good health and a long life. (more…)