The Latest Breaking News from Paul VI

The man born Joseph Ratzinger spent many decades as a key figure in Catholicism, writes Paul Vallely, but his choice to end his eight years as head of the Church and become Pope Emeritus will live longest in the memory

Benedict, who died at the age of 95, in 2013 became the first pope in 600 years to step down, citing old age.

At the end of his Wednesday audience with the public, Pope Francis said Benedict is “very sick” and asked the faithful to pray for him. Benedict, the first pontiff to resign in 600 years, has become increasingly frail in recent years

In 1517, the German theologian Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to Wittenberg’s Castle Church door, attacking indulgences, a Catholic practice that, according to church teachings, can reduce or eliminate punishment for sin. Starting in the 11th century, the church offered indulgences to those who joined the Crusades and later sold…