Tucked away in the leafy south-east corner of the Vatican City, lies the small monastery where the Pope will spend the rest of his days in quiet prayer and contemplation.

Whoever takes the helm of the Vatican after the shock resignation of Benedict XVI will inherit a problem on his own doorstep.

Editorial: The papacy is one of precious few institutions in the modern world that does not change very much.

Pope Benedict’s resignation has been greeted with surprise, admiration and disappointment from around the world.

John Key is shocked about the Pope's resignation, describing the move by the 85-year-old as a "brave call".

British movie greats Sir Michael Gambon and Alfred Molina are to play unlikely lovers in a new movie.

New Zealand clergy face being interviewed by Australian police as part of a Royal Commission investigating how institutions including churches allegedly covered up claims of child sex abuse.

A Northland science teacher dismissed after he supported a gay rights protest at the Catholic school is considering legal action.

A Northland teacher who was suspended last month after he supported a pro-gay protest at the Catholic College he taught at has lost his job.