TEL AVIV: Israel’s military said on Wednesday it was exploring the possibility of cooperating with the Lebanese army to counter jihadi …

By Elise Harris Vatican City, Dec 9, 2014 / 01:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Rather than being called by his papal name “Benedict XVI,” the retired pontiff revealed that since his retirement he has wanted to return to his original priestly title and be called simply “Father Benedict.” Father Benedict made his comments in a private conversation with journalist Jorg Bremer, who published bits of them in a Dec. 7 article for German newspaper F.A.Z. According to the journalist, Benedict explained that when he initially stepped down he wanted to be called “Father Benedict” rather than Pope Emeritus or Benedict XVI, but “I was too weak at that point to enforce it.”

At least part of the reason for wanting his new title to simply be “Father” rather than Pope Emeritus or Benedict XVI is to put more space between him and the role of the pope, so that there is no confusion as to who the “true Pope” is, Bremer reported. The retired pontiff encouraged the journalist to write about his desire, saying “Yes, do that; that would help.” In their conversation Benedict also spoke of his current relationship with Pope Francis, saying that “we maintain good contact (with each other).” “Francis has a strong presence. Much stronger that I could ever have with my physical and mental weaknesses,” he observed. “To remain in my office would not have been honest.”

  BEIRUT: MP Ibrahim Kanaan announced Tuesday the formation of a Coordination Committee for Mayors to follow up on the budget money …

  BEIRUT: The European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy arrived in Lebanon Tuesday for a two-day visit. Sources …