According to authorities, a crucifix that former Pope Benedict XVI once wore on his chest was taken from a church in southern Germany where it was on display.

The late Benedict had spent his youth years in Traunstein, Bavaria, at St. Oswald's church, where the pectoral cross was kept in a case in the wall.


The item, which the last pope had left to the parish, was stolen somewhere between 11:45 am (0945 GMT) and 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Monday.


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“For the Catholic Church, the value of this sacred object cannot be quantified,” Bavarian police said in a statement.


The suspects, whose identities are unknown, are also accused of breaking into a magazine stand cash register and stealing the money within, according to the police.

They're looking for anyone who may have witnessed unusual behavior on Monday surrounding the church.



After a protracted period of deteriorating health, Benedict, who in 2013 resigned as the head of the Catholic Church for the first time in six centuries, passed away in December at the age of 95.