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

European media have relayed accusations from four different men against Msgr Tony Anatrella, the Religion News Service reported.

Only one of the men agreed to be identified by his real name.

Accusations against the French priest and therapist first surfaced more than a decade ago.

For years, seminaries and monasteries around France sent students and novices to Msgr Anatrella if their superiors decided they were struggling with homosexuality.

It has been alleged that Msgr Anatrella engaged in various sex acts with young men during counselling sessions in his Paris office.

These activities allegedly occurred up until a few years ago.

The Catholic Church in France has been embroiled in a crisis this year over charges that senior churchmen shielded priests who had been reported for abusing children.

In a statement this month, Paris archdiocese acknowledged complaints against the Monsignor.

The complaints were forwarded on behalf of alleged victims by other priests.

But the complainants to the archdiocese wished to remain anonymous, so the archdiocese said it could not act further.

However it encouraged complainants to make contact with the archdiocese and civil authorities.

In 2005, Msgr Anatrella helped the Vatican craft guidelines aimed at keeping gay men out of the priesthood.

He provided a long list of warning signs that should alert seminary staff to the possibility that a seminarian is gay.

It is unclear how many of these current accounts of abuse may also be the ones that surfaced in 2006.

That year, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris spoke of a gay lobby working against the priest.

Msgr Anatrella has so far not responded to the latest allegations.

He remains a consultant to the pontifical councils for the family and for health care ministry.

Sources

• Religion News Service
• Image: Crux

Msgr Krzysztof Charamsa told a private Italian television channel that he has never met such a lobby in the Vatican.

"I met homosexual priests, often isolated like me . . . but no gay lobby," said Msgr Charamsa.

He added that he also met gay priests who were "homophobes" and had "hatred for themselves and others".

"But I also met several fantastic homosexuals who are some of the best ministers in the Church," he said.

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