Benedict's comments were reported in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Serra.

The comments are in a new book of interviews between the retired Pope and journalist Peter Seewald.

Corriere della Serra has acquired the Italian newspaper rights for excerpts and has access to the book.

The book, called "Last Conversations" is scheduled to be released in September.

It is the first time in history that a former pope has judged his own pontificate after it is over.

The paper reported that, in one of the interviews with Seewald, Benedict said he came to know of the presence of a so-called gay lobby at the Vatican.

This was made up of four or five people who were seeking to influence Vatican decisions.

The article reported Benedict saying he managed to "break up this power group".

Gay rights campaigners have long said many gay people work for the Vatican.

Church sources have said they suspect that some banded together to support each other's careers and influence decisions in the bureaucracy.

Corriere della Serra also revealed how Benedict kept a diary during his papacy, which he now plans to destroy, despite its historical significance.

The upcoming book will also include details of the Pope Emeritus's life, faith and papacy, including his thoughts on current pope, Francis.

Benedict "admits his lack of resoluteness in governing", Corriere della Serra reported.

It is also reported that he was "surprised" when the cardinals chose Francis as his successor in 2013.

Corriere della Serra stated that Benedict "again denies blackmail or pressure" in his decision to resign.

But Benedict reportedly said he had to overcome his own doubts on the effect his choice could have on the future of the papacy.

Sources

• The Tablet
• Reuters
• Image: Catholic News Service

The book, to be published on March 1 by Loyola Press, is titled "Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children Around the World".

It will feature 30 letters and drawings from children aged 6-13 from various nations, as well as Pope Francis's responses in his own words.

"This book is the very first book by a Pope for children ever," said Fr Antonio Spadaro, SJ, who worked on the book with Loyola Press.

The 30 letters and drawings from children and young people in the book were selected from 259 submissions from throughout the world.

Pope Francis admitted last year when reading through the questions that "these are tough".

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"Remaining in the Truth of Christ" contained contributions from the Vatican's doctrinal chief Cardinal Gerhard Müller, church historian Cardinal Walter Brandmüller and American Cardinal Raymond Burke.

The book aimed to counter arguments put forward by German Cardinal Walter Kasper who had proposed a way to that could see divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to Communion.

The book was mailed to all the fathers at the extraordinary synod on the family. Some received it.

Vatican sources allege the head of the synod's secretariat, Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, ordered the books be intercepted.

This is because they would "interfere with the synod".

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