EDGE New England

Out Catholic blogger Andrew Sullivan speculates over Pope Benedict XVI’s bond with his longtime and sexy aide, when it was revealed that the two men would remain close after the papal resigns.

An Italian newspaper is alleging that Pope Benedict XVI resigned because of a gay lobbying group inside the Vatican.

With the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, some in the LGBT community expressed the hope that the Church would engage in a meaningful conversation about LGBT rights. Others aren’t as optimistic.

LGBT activists may be raising concern over Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, who a leading candidate to replace Pope Benedict XVI, as he’s voiced his support for anti-gay bills in Africa.

The Vatican will host an international conference in May on preventing AIDS and caring for those afflicted with it amid continued confusion over its position concerning condoms as a way to prevent HIV transmission.

In his annual Christmas message, the pope made barely veiled disparaging references to gay marriage in between advocating for the protection of Catholics in nations like Nigeria and Iraq.

The Vatican on Tuesday sought to clarify the pope’s controversial comments about condoms and HIV, saying he by no means suggested condom use could be condoned as a means of avoiding pregnancy.

Pope Benedict XVI said Monday the Catholic Church must reflect on what is wrong with its message and Christian life in general that allowed for the widespread sexual abuse of children by priests.

In a seismic shift on one of the most profound - and profoundly contentious - Roman Catholic teachings, the Vatican said Tuesday that condoms are the lesser of two evils when used to curb the spread of AIDS, even if their use prevents a pregnancy.

Pope Benedict XVI’s comments about condom use being a lesser evil than transmitting HIV also apply to women, the Vatican said Tuesday.