An unexpected theft has shaken the town of Traunstein in Bavaria, Germany.
AP reported that a pectoral cross, a cherished gift from the late Pope Benedict XVI, has been stolen from a local church. The incident, authorities say, occurred on Monday.
In a carefully executed operation, the thieves broke open the display case safeguarding the cross. The cross, typically worn on the chest, was swiped between the late morning and early evening hours. The relic wasn’t their only target; the thieves also lifted cash from a magazine stand inside the church.
The local police emphasized the immense spiritual value of the cross, beyond any monetary worth, holding deep significance for the Catholic community there.
“For the Catholic church, the value of the religious object is not quantifiable.”
To aid the investigation, they’re urging anyone with information, or who observed suspicious behavior, to report it.
Pope Benedict XVI was born in the quaint town of Marktl am Inn in Bavaria. His family relocated to Traunstein when he was a toddler of two. There, he embarked on his spiritual journey at a local seminary.
The stolen cross was one of several sent to Traunstein post his resignation. It had been on public display since 2020, as confirmed by Christoph Kappes, a representative for the Munich archdiocese.
Pray for Pope Benedict XVI!
