Pope Benedict

The surprise move is seen as a rebuke to Pope Francis, who is weighing whether to allow older, married men to be ordained in some South American countries, where a shortage of priests is acute.

The defrockings reportedly took place before the election of Pope Francis in March of 2013. The data was reportedly collected to help church officials testify before a U.N. panel.

The first Jesuit pope, the first pope to replace a sitting pope in 600 years, the first pope from the "New World," Pope Francis has been raising eyebrows…

On Monday Catholics were greeted with the unexpected news of Pope Benedict VXI announcing he will be stepping down at the end of the month. San Antonio…