Pectoral Cross of Benedict XVI Stolen from Church in Traunstein

Country: Germany

Date of incident: June 19, 2023


The papal pectoral cross of Pope Benedict XVI was stolen on June 19 during a break-in at the Traunstein city church of St. Oswald. The perpetrator broke open an exhibition display case to steal the cross. Pope Benedict XVI bequeathed the pectoral cross to St. Oswald's Church after his retirement in 2013. The cross holds immense value to the Catholic community in Traunstein, and investigators are still searching for it.

The 53-year-old suspect turned himself in after authorities issued an international arrest warrant. However, he remained silent about the whereabouts of the pectoral cross. The suspect from the Czech Republic, who is known to the police and has multiple convictions, is currently in custody.

sources: Katholisch.deCNA

picture: Wiki Commons