Denying she had prior knowledge, the congresswoman called the letter an "honest" mistake by her office, but Democrats criticized her aggressively on the issue.

CNN: GOP determined to hold onto House

In a letter to MPs released on Saturday, Mrs Brooks denied all knowledge of alleged hacking of the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler or any other case while she was editor.

BBC: Phone hacking probe: NoW goes into print for last time

Ratzinger never answered the letter, according to the Times, and church officials have said he had no knowledge of the situation.

CNN: Too tired to go on, Pope Benedict resigns