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Pope Benedict XVI

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Pope Benedict XVI

The hard-nosed theologian who leads the world's Catholics is a far cry from your friendly neighborhood priest. But in spite of tough rhetoric and a talent for controversy, his flock seems to be following

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, succeeding the enormously popular John Paul II. Sometimes called “God’s Rottweiler" for his staunch defense of traditional Catholic doctrine, the cerebral Benedict is charged with tackling many of the challenges John Paul left behind, including ensuring that Catholicism remains a ‘large tent’ even as he insists that Catholics toe the line on all matters of doctrine and theology. But Benedict hasn't kowtowed to detractors yet—he continues to spark controversy with his outspoken comments and contentious decisions, including his recent choice to restore the traditional Latin mass.

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June 2008
- Rumors From Vatican: Bush May Convert
  
  Daily Telegraph (UK) | Jun 14, 08 1:45 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - President Bush visited Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican yesterday, sparking rumors that the president may convert to Catholicism, the Telegraph reports. They spoke in a garden where the pontiff prays daily, not in the library where Benedict greets most world leaders. “What an honor!” said Bush, who has been called the most “Catholic-minded” president since JFK. More »
May 2008
- Aussie Anglican Won't Make Nice for Papal Visit
  
  Sydney Morning Herald | May 26, 08 1:09 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - An influential Anglican cleric won’t be welcoming Pope Benedict to Australia with open arms. But the outspoken dean of Sydney, whose brother is the city's archbishop, says he has no trouble with the public funding that's going toward the pontiff's July visit. Phillip Jensen says he won’t be “going to see him or waving a flag,” but neither will he “pray for rain on his parade.” More »
- High-Tech Pope to World Youth: Bless U
  
  Reuters | May 7, 08 8:18 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - The Catholic Church is going digital. During July’s World Youth Day in Sydney, Pope Benedict will reach out to the 225,000 young Catholics in attendance by text message, "using new ways to connect with today's tech-savvy youth," a spokesman tells Reuters. More »
April 2008
- Benedict's US Trip Improved His Image
  
  Reuters | Apr 30, 08 8:40 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Both the pontiff and the Catholic Church got an image boost following the pope's recent US visit, reports Reuters. A post-trip poll found that 61% of Americans, both Catholics and non-Catholics, believe the pope's 6-day stint met or exceeded their expectations; 65% now have a more positive view of Pope Benedict. More »
- No Rest for the ... Faithful? Italy's Padre Pio On Display
  
  BBC | Apr 24, 08 7:35 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Beloved saint Padre Pio, exhumed in March after 40 years, is now on display in southern Italy, where 700,000 faithful have signed up to view his remains, BBC reports. The archbishop who ran the exhumation marveled at the body: “The knees, hands, mittens, and nails are clearly visible.” More »
- Pundit's Pontificating Draws Fire
  
  Newsday | Apr 21, 08 11:58 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Not for the first time, people are calling for Bill Maher's head—in this case for taking pot shots at Pope Benedict XVI on his HBO show. "If you have a few hundred followers and you let some of them molest children, they call you a cult leader," Maher said. "If you have a billion, they call you 'pope.'" He also made a joke about the pontiff's membership in the Hitler Youth group as a child. More »
- To Animal Lovers, He's the Cat's Meow
  
  New York Times | Apr 21, 08 9:54 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - One group of Catholics who weren't surprised to see Pope Benedict XVI's "softer side" on his visit to the US are devout cat lovers. Benedict harbors a legendary fondness for felines; his house in Germany was filled with them, and in his former Vatican post he looked after cats who visited his building, the New York Times reports. And the affection goes both ways: a German cat wrote a children’s biography of the former Cardinal Ratzinger, with help from a journalist. More »
- Pope Benedict Leaves US After 6-Day Visit
  
  USA Today | Apr 20, 08 10:31 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI concluded his 6-day US visit today, boarding the papal jet at JFK aqirport to return to the Vatican. “The time has come for me to bid farewell to your country,” Benedict said. “May God bless America.” Dick Cheney attended the departure ceremony, which capped Benedict’s day of visiting Ground Zero and celebrating Mass at Yankee Stadium. More »
- Benedict Brings Down the House That Ruth Built
  
  New York Times | Apr 20, 08 3:20 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - With pop music blaring and a roaring crowd, Yankee Stadium might have easily been hosting a rock concert today, reports the New York Times, rather than the rock star of Catholicism. The object of the adoration of 60,000 was Pope Benedict XVI, who finished up his US tour by celebrating the New York diocese's 200th anniversary and calling for Catholic unity in his homily. More »
- Pope Prays at Ground Zero
  
  New York Times | Apr 20, 08 11:09 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI got on his knees at Ground Zero today to bless the site where 2,600 people died and pray for the victims of the 9/11 attacks and their grieving families. "Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred," he said, in offering a prayer for peace. He then met with survivors and victims' families, as well as local leaders, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg. More »
- 25K Teens Rock at NY Pope Rally
  
  New York Daily News | Apr 19, 08 6:01 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - About 25,000 teens experienced Popemania today at a rocking rally in Yonkers, NY, the New York Daily News reports. After Kelly Clarkson belted out tunes, Benedict XVI emerged from a seminary meeting with disabled kids to receive gifts of bread and bless the crowd. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," said a 15-year-old who left home before dawn to attend. More »
- Pope Prays for Healing After Abuse Scandal
  
  Associated Press | Apr 19, 08 11:37 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI spent the third anniversary of his election to the papacy trying to comfort clergy still weathering the fallout from the priest sex abuse scandal, the AP reports. “I simply wish to assure you of my spiritual closeness,” Benedict said. The pontiff, addressing 3,000 people at New York’s famed St. Patrick’s cathedral, also called for purification and healing. More »
- Pope Makes History With Visit to US Synagogue
  
  New York Times | Apr 19, 08 5:14 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff to ever set foot inside an American synagogue with his visit to New York's Park East Synagogue yesterday, the New York Times reports. Benedict, presented with matzo, a Seder plate and a Passover prayer book, spoke to the congregation of "building bridges of friendship" but didn't touch on any thorny issues. More »
- After Pope Meets Victims, Vatican Considers Change
  
  New York Times | Apr 18, 08 6:21 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Just a day after a Washington meeting where Pope Benedict XVI talked with victims sexually abused by Catholic priests, a Vatican official said the church would consider changes to canon law dictating how the church deals with such offenses, the New York Times reports. Cardinal William Levada holds Benedict’s old post as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. More »
- Pope Warns Against Tyranny
  
  Associated Press | Apr 18, 08 11:45 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Pope Benedict addressed the UN for the first time today, calling human rights the solution to many of the world’s problems, the AP reports. Speaking in French, the pontiff praised the UN, stressing the importance of international cooperation. But he also warned, “Multilateral consensus continues to be in crisis,” controlled by “the decisions of a small number.” More »
- Abuse Victims Find Some Peace With Pope
  
  CNN | Apr 18, 08 3:46 AM CDT