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Pope Benedict XVI gives a blessing during a visit at the cathedral in Freiburg, Germany, Sept. 24, 2011. In responses to questions posed by a German magazine, the now-retired pope referred to a speech in Freiburg in which he emphasized that the church must set itself apart from its surroundings.

Benedict criticizes church in Germany, says mission obscured

FREIBURG, Germany -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI has criticized representatives of the Catholic Church in his home country, Germany.

Jesuit Father Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, is pictured near the Vatican in an undated photo.

Vatican reports $78 million deficit, also releases APSA report

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican reported the Roman Curia had a $78 million deficit in 2020, and on the same day, the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, which administers Vatican properties and investments, made a summary of its annual budget public for the first time.

Cardinal Walter Brandmuller elevates the Eucharist during a Tridentine-rite Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 15, 2011.

Appealing to need for unity, Pope restores limits on Latin Mass

VATICAN CITY — Saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, overturning or severely restricting permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the so-called Tridentine-rite Mass.

Pope Francis greets police officers before entering the Vatican after being discharged from Rome's Gemelli hospital following his recovery from colon surgery in this screengrab taken from a video July 14, 2021.

Pope Francis released from hospital, prays at Rome basilica

VATICAN CITY -- Ten days after undergoing intestinal surgery, Pope Francis was released from Rome's Gemelli hospital, the Vatican confirmed.

Pope Francis gives a rosary to a member of the medical staff at Gemelli hospital in Rome July 11, 2021, as he recovers following scheduled colon surgery. Earlier the pope led the Angelus from a balcony at the hospital.

Pope Francis to remain in hospital 'a few more days,' Vatican says

VATICAN CITY -- Despite initial estimates of requiring a week of inpatient care, Pope Francis will continue his recovery as a patient at Rome's Gemelli hospital after undergoing colon surgery, the Vatican press office said.

Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads the Angelus from a balcony of Gemelli hospital in Rome July 11, 2021, as he recovers following scheduled colon surgery.

Hundreds gather outside hospital to greet Pope Francis as he recovers

VATICAN CITY -- Pilgrims and well-wishers gathered at Rome's Gemelli hospital to greet Pope Francis as he made his first public appearance in a week after undergoing intestinal surgery.

This is a view outside Gemelli hospital in Rome where Pope Francis had a prescheduled colon surgery July 4, 2021. Pope Francis' recovery from colon surgery continues to go well, the Vatican said.

After fever subsides, Pope Francis undergoes scans that rule out infection

VATICAN CITY -- Recovering from colon surgery, Pope Francis briefly ran a fever late July 7, leading his doctors to perform a CT scan of his abdomen and chest the next morning to check for signs of infection.

Pilgrims holding the Slovak flag cheer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican July 4, 2021, as Pope Francis announces he will visit their country Sept. 12-15 after stopping in Budapest, Hungary, to celebrate the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress.

Pope Francis announces visit to Hungary, Slovakia in September

VATICAN CITY -- Before going to the hospital for colon surgery July 4, Pope Francis told a crowd in St. Peter's Square that he would be visiting Hungary and Slovakia Sept. 12-15.

The Vatican July 3, 2021, indicted 10 individuals and entities, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, on charges ranging from embezzlement to money laundering and abuse of office. The indictments stemmed from investigations into the Vatican purchased of this building at 60 Sloane Avenue in the Chelsea neighborhood in London.

Vatican indicts Cardinal Becciu, former officials involved in London deal

VATICAN CITY -- In an unprecedented move, Vatican prosecutors have indicted 10 individuals and entities, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, former prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, on charges ranging from embezzlement to money laundering and abuse of office.

Pope Francis was hospitalized July 4 for previously scheduled colon surgery, the Vatican press office said. He is pictured at the Vatican June 9, 2021.

Pope Francis out of bed, walking after surgery at Rome hospital

VATICAN CITY -- The second morning after undergoing colon surgery, Pope Francis was continuing to recover well and, after a restful night, he had breakfast, read the newspapers and got out of bed to walk, the Vatican press office said July 6.

Pope Francis shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during an audience at the Vatican June 28, 2021.

Pope Francis, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken meet at Vatican

VATICAN CITY -- Climate change, migration and geopolitical hot spots were on the agenda as Pope Francis met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken June 28.

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