Osservatore Romano: Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI: GENEVA - It resembled a courtroom cross-examination, except no question was off-limits, dodging the answer wasn't an option and the proceedings were webcast live. , according to Winnipeg Free Press. In a stuffy U.N. conference room before an obscure human rights committee, the Holy See was interrogated for eight hours about the scale of abuse and what it was doing to prevent it. FILE - In this April 15, 2012 file photo made available by the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI meets with his brother Monsignor Georg Ratzinger at the Vatican, Saturday. Retired Pope Benedict XVI is marking a milestone of sorts. On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014 he toasted his brother Georg on his 90th birthday, celebrating Mass together and attending a concert in the Vatican gardens. Monsignor Georg Ratzinger was ordained a priest the same day as the future pope in 1951 and they share a love of music. Ratzinger was a frequent visitor when Benedict, 86, was pope and has continued visiting in Benedict's retirement. The brothers spent Christmas together at Benedict's retirement home in a converted monastery in the Vatican gardens, and Ratzinger stayed on a few weeks so they could celebrate his birthday together. The Vatican said they started their day concelebrating Mass, having a festive breakfast complete with Bavarian songs and toasts and ending with a concert in Ratzinger's honor. AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, File After decades of accusations that its culture of secrecy contributed to priest sex abuse, the Vatican was forced for the first time Thursday to defend its record in public and at length. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.