Emmanuel Thomas I Tuesday, June 20, 2023
BAVARIA – Unknown thieves have stolen the pectoral cross of the late pope emeritus Benedict XVI from a parish church in the southern German state of Bavaria.
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 the Bavarain town on Monday.
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,” said an LKA spokesman.
On Tuesday, the authority’s task force was on site to secure evidence. The crime took place some time between 11:45 am and 5 pm (0945-1500 GMT).
