A cross that former pope Benedict XVI used to wear on his chest has been stolen from a church in southern Germany where it was on display, police said Tuesday.

The pectoral cross was in a case in the wall of St. Oswald's church in Traunstein, in the state of Bavaria, where the late Benedict spent his adolescent years.

Thieves broke the case and took the cross, which the former pope had bequeathed to the parish, between 11:45 am (0945 GMT) and 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Monday.

"For the Catholic Church, the value of this sacred object cannot be quantified," Bavarian police said in a statement.&nbsp;

The perpetrators, whose identities are unknown, also broke into the cash register of a magazine stand and stole the money inside, the police said.&nbsp;

Police officials are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously around the church on Monday to share the information.&nbsp;

Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to step down as head of the Catholic Church, died on&nbsp;31 December, 2022,&nbsp;aged 95 after a long period of declining health.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

A cross that former pope Benedict XVI used to wear on his chest has been stolen from a church in southern Germany where it was on display, police said Tuesday. The pectoral cross was in a case in the wall of St.

A cross that former pope Benedict XVI used to wear on his chest has been stolen from a church in southern Germany where it was on display, police said Tuesday. The pectoral cross was in a case in the wall of St. Oswald's church in Traunstein, in the state of Bavaria, where the late Benedict spent his adolescent years. Thieves broke the case and took the cross, which the former pope had bequeathed to the parish, between 11:45 am (0945 GMT) and 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Monday. "For the Catholic Church, the value of this sacred object cannot be quantified," Bavarian police said in a statement. The perpetrators, whose identities are unknown, also broke into the cash register of a magazine stand and stole the money inside, the police said. Police officials are appealing for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously around the church on Monday to share the information. Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in six centuries to step down as head of the Catholic Church, died on 31 December, 2022, aged 95 after a long period of declining health. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Cross worn by late pope Benedict stolen from church in Germany

Former Pope Benedict the Sixteenth has left the mortal world for his&nbsp;heavenly abode. He was elected as leader of the Christian faithful around the world in 2005. He was 78 years old then. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as he was known before he ascended to the position of Pope, had said in 2005 itself that he was looking forward to retirement after Pope John Paul the Second, his predecessor, passed away.

Pope Benedict the Sixteenth led the Church for eight years before resigning in 2013. He was the first pope to step down from his position since Pope Gregory the Twelfth in the Middle Ages.&nbsp;

When he took over the Church, it was at the receiving end of allegations and lawsuits of clerical child sex abuse. He prevailed against the voices within the Vatican who were deeming these allegations as a conspiracy against the Catholic Church. He took a stand and asserted that the Church should take responsibility for 'sins within the Church'.

As head of Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, he had direct jurisdiction over some of the clerical abuse.

He was given the nickname "God's Rottweiler" for his deeply conservative views. His tenure as Pope saw him clash with homosexuals, feminists and more.

Pope Benedict was born on April 16, 1927&nbsp;in Germany and raised in Bavaria. After the Second World War, he studied Theology and Philosophy. He became chaplain in Munich in 1951.

Ratzinger was known to be an academic. He obtained a doctorate and even became a professor at the University of Bonn. His inaugural lecture was “the God of Faith and the God of Philosophy”.

He became the chair for dogmatic theology at Tubingen University in 1966.

In the Vatican, he was made a cardinal by Pope Paul the Sixth. His ascent within&nbsp;the ranks was acknowledged when Pope John Paul the Second made him his most important adviser.

At the age of 50, Ratzinger was appointed the archbishop of Munich-Freising. This was followed by his appointment as priest of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino by Pope Paul the Fifth. The year was 1977.

In the 1980s, Ratzinger became the right-hand man of Pope John Paul the Second. The connections he developed within the Vatican became of great value when Pope John Paul the Second passed away and search for a new pope began.

His health was a matter of concern for the Church for recent months. The current Pope Francis paid him several visits inquiring about his health.

On Saturday (December 31), the Vatican made an official announcement confirming that the former pope had left the world for a final journey to the heavens.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-pope-benedict-xvi-passes-away-at-95-in-vatican-city-548306">Former Pope Benedict XVI passes away at 95 in Vatican City</a>

"With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.

"Further information will be provided as soon as possible."

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Former Pope Benedict the Sixteenth has left the mortal world for his heavenly abode. He was elected as leader of the Christian faithful around the world in 2005.

Former Pope Benedict the Sixteenth has left the mortal world for his heavenly abode. He was elected as leader of the Christian faithful around the world in 2005. He was 78 years old then. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as he was known before he ascended to the position of Pope, had said in 2005 itself that he was looking forward to retirement after Pope John Paul the Second, his predecessor, passed away. Pope Benedict the Sixteenth led the Church for eight years before resigning in 2013. He was the first pope to step down from his position since Pope Gregory the Twelfth in the Middle Ages. When he took over the Church, it was at the receiving end of allegations and lawsuits of clerical child sex abuse. He prevailed against the voices within the Vatican who were deeming these allegations as a conspiracy against the Catholic Church. He took a stand and asserted that the Church should take responsibility for 'sins within the Church'. As head of Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, he had direct jurisdiction over some of the clerical abuse. He was given the nickname "God's Rottweiler" for his deeply conservative views. His tenure as Pope saw him clash with homosexuals, feminists and more. Pope Benedict was born on April 16, 1927 in Germany and raised in Bavaria. After the Second World War, he studied Theology and Philosophy. He became chaplain in Munich in 1951. Ratzinger was known to be an academic. He obtained a doctorate and even became a professor at the University of Bonn. His inaugural lecture was “the God of Faith and the God of Philosophy”. He became the chair for dogmatic theology at Tubingen University in 1966. In the Vatican, he was made a cardinal by Pope Paul the Sixth. His ascent within the ranks was acknowledged when Pope John Paul the Second made him his most important adviser. At the age of 50, Ratzinger was appointed the archbishop of Munich-Freising. This was followed by his appointment as priest of Santa Maria Consolatrice al Tiburtino by Pope Paul the Fifth. The year was 1977. In the 1980s, Ratzinger became the right-hand man of Pope John Paul the Second. The connections he developed within the Vatican became of great value when Pope John Paul the Second passed away and search for a new pope began. His health was a matter of concern for the Church for recent months. The current Pope Francis paid him several visits inquiring about his health. On Saturday (December 31), the Vatican made an official announcement confirming that the former pope had left the world for a final journey to the heavens. Also Read | Former Pope Benedict XVI passes away at 95 in Vatican City "With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. "Further information will be provided as soon as possible." You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Pope Benedict the Sixteenth: 'God's Rottweiler' who led the faithful

Former Pope Benedict XVI died at his Vatican residence at the age of 95, the Vatican announced on Saturday. He led the Catholic Church for about eight years until 2013 and&nbsp;was one of the oldest Popes to be ever elected.&nbsp;Born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, Benedict was 78 when in 2005 when he was elected Pope. Besides being one of the oldest Popes, he was the first from Germany in over 1000 years&nbsp;to be elected as head of the Catholic Church in Vatican City.&nbsp; 
 
Pope Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. 
 
Bells rang out across the Vatican on Saturday after the death of former Pope Benedict was announced by a spokesman for the Holy See.

The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 am on Saturday in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which he had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. “Further information will be provided as soon as possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter's Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell.”

The health condition&nbsp;of the Pope Emeritus had worsened over the past several due to advancing age.&nbsp;Pope Francis had himself publicly shared the news about his predecessor's worsening health at the end of the last General Audience of the year, on 28th December.

Pope Francis visited him frequently and appealed to people to pray for the former Pope's health.&nbsp;

"Remember him, because he is very ill, asking the Lord to console and support him," Francis said on Friday.&nbsp;

Benedict had cited his declining physical and mental health back in 2013 during his decision to stand down as head of the worldwide Catholic church.&nbsp;The Pope Emeritus since lived a quiet life, rarely appearing in public.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Former Pope Benedict XVI died at his Vatican residence at the age of 95, the Vatican announced on Saturday. He led the Catholic Church for about eight years until 2013 and was one of the oldest Popes to be ever elected.

Former Pope Benedict XVI died at his Vatican residence at the age of 95, the Vatican announced on Saturday. He led the Catholic Church for about eight years until 2013 and was one of the oldest Popes to be ever elected. Born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, Benedict was 78 when in 2005 when he was elected Pope. Besides being one of the oldest Popes, he was the first from Germany in over 1000 years to be elected as head of the Catholic Church in Vatican City. Pope Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. Bells rang out across the Vatican on Saturday after the death of former Pope Benedict was announced by a spokesman for the Holy See. The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 am on Saturday in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, which he had chosen as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013. “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. “Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter's Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell.” The health condition of the Pope Emeritus had worsened over the past several due to advancing age. Pope Francis had himself publicly shared the news about his predecessor's worsening health at the end of the last General Audience of the year, on 28th December. Pope Francis visited him frequently and appealed to people to pray for the former Pope's health. "Remember him, because he is very ill, asking the Lord to console and support him," Francis said on Friday. Benedict had cited his declining physical and mental health back in 2013 during his decision to stand down as head of the worldwide Catholic church. The Pope Emeritus since lived a quiet life, rarely appearing in public. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Pope Benedict XVI passes away at 95 in Vatican City