Benedict backs beatification of Nazi-era pope

Oct. 9, 2008

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday backed the beatification of his controversial World War II predecessor Pius XII, defending his actions during a "complex historical moment."

Vatican City goes solar

VATICAN CITY, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The Vatican recently inaugurated its new solar power energy system.

Pope reportedly plans visit to Israel

JERUSALEM, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted an invitation from President Shimon Peres to visit Israel in May, sources say.

Japanese martyrs beatified in Nagasaki

NAGASAKI, Japan, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The Roman Catholic Church held its first-ever beatification ceremony in Nagasaki, Japan, Monday for 188 martyrs.

Pope: Theologies may not be reconcilable

VATICAN CITY, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Comments by Pope Benedict XVI indicate he believes theological divides may not be possible to overcome but that religious cultures can coexist, analysts say.

Vatican official defends Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Vatican secretary of state called claims that Pius XII was "Hitler's Pope" a slur at a conference Thursday on the wartime pontiff.

Muslim scholars in talks with Vatican

VATICAN CITY, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Leading Muslim scholars are at the Vatican for talks aimed at improving relations between the Islamic and Christian faiths.

Pope opens conference on creation

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI cited Galileo as a scientist of deep religious faith as he opened a conference on creation Friday at the Vatican.

Vatican WW2 archives to stay closed

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Vatican archives on World War II will not be opened for several years, a spokesman said Thursday.

Pope speaks out against Christian violence

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI spoke at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City Sunday, noting that the Christian communities in Iraq and India were the victims of intolerance.

Vatican, Israel split on Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The priest ushering Pius XII through beatification said Thursday an Israeli official who criticized the pope should not interfere in Vatican affairs.

Swastika removed from pope pic on Web site

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Israeli Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni prevailed on a party-related Web site to remove a picture that superimposed a swastika over a picture of Pope Benedict.

Pope canonized four as saints

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- An estimated 25,000 people watched Sunday as Pope Benedict XVI canonized four saints of the Roman Catholic Church, said Vatican officials.

Pope canonizes Indian nun

KERALA, India, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI Sunday formally canonized Sister Alphonsa as the first Indian woman to be elevated to sainthood by the Roman Catholic Church.

Benedict defends Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI defended Pius XII's wartime actions during a mass Thursday on the 50th anniversary of his predecessor's death.