Thieves steal ex-pope Benedict’s cross in German church

Unknown thieves have stolen the pectoral cross of the late pope emeritus Benedict XVI from a parish church in Bavaria, Germany.

The former pontiff had bequeathed the cross he wore on his chest to his home parish in Traunstein, the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office (LKA) said on Tuesday.

The “papal pectoral” was stolen from St Oswald’s Church in Bavaria on Monday.

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The perpetrators broke open a display case embedded in the wall and stole the cross.

In addition, the cash box of the magazine stand was broken open and the cash was stolen, the report added.

“We cannot rule out the possibility that this was a targeted act.

“The theft was already noticed on Monday, and the LKA later took over the investigation,” an LKA spokesman said.

On Tuesday, the authority’s task force was on site to secure evidence.

The Star