Religion

The public can now visit the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica.

“The sheriff reported that the man had wanted to break into the tabernacle, but looked up at the statue of Mary and decided he couldn't do that to her."

The Vatican said some 50,000 people attended the Mass, after some 200,000 paid their respects during the three days of public viewing.

Vatican security officials estimated that by mid-afternoon Monday, some 40,000 people had filed by the retired pontiff's body.

The basilica is set to host Benedict’s coffin for three days of viewing that start Monday.

For all his accomplishments and accolades, Benedict will forever be known as the first pope in 600 years to resign.

Earlier Wednesday, Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for Benedict and went to visit his predecessor in the monastery on Vatican grounds.

The Vatican on Friday termed the gesture a “donation” from the pope to His Beatitude Ieronymos II, the Orthodox Christian archbishop of Athens and all Greece.

Yes, this has to do with the war, and yes, they have the blessing of their local church.

"Indeed, we must acknowledge with sorrow that, even as the Prince of Peace is given to us, the icy winds of war continue to buffet humanity," Pope Francis said.

Francis said Thursday that Vatican bureaucrats are in fact "in greater danger than all others, because we are beset by the ‘elegant demon’ who does not make a loud entrance, but comes with flowers in his hand.”

Holocaust survivors from around the globe are marking the third day of Hanukkah together with a virtual ceremony as Jews worldwide worry about a sharp increase in antisemitism in Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere.

The New York-based Center for Jewish History is launching a project offering DNA testing kits for free to Holocaust survivors and their children.