POPE BENEDICT XVI

Published: Apr 13, 2008

A LOOK BACK

April 19, 2005: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is elected. He will be known as Pope Benedict XVI.

June 10, 2005: The pope criticizes the use of condoms and says the church is leading the battle against HIV/AIDS by teaching chastity.

Nov. 29, 2005: In his first major ruling, Benedict and the Vatican impose restrictions on homosexuals becoming priests.

Jan. 25, 2006: Benedict releases his first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" (God is Love).

Sept. 12, 2006: Benedict quotes a Byzantine emperor to criticize fanaticism in Islam, sparking protests from Muslims.

Sept. 17, 2006: The pope apologizes and says the medieval quotes did not reflect his personal views.

Oct. 11, 2006: Benedict eases restrictions on the Latin Mass.

April 11, 2007: Benedict publishes a new book, "Creation and Evolution," in which he claims Darwin's theory of evolution cannot be proved.

May 13, 2007: In Brazil, Benedict says that colonial-era evangelization in the New World did not represent "the imposition of a foreign culture."

May 23, 2007: Although he does not apologize, Benedict says it is impossible to ignore the "unjustified crimes" that accompanied evangelization in the New World.

Nov. 6, 2007: Benedict becomes the first pope to meet with a reigning Saudi king.

March 22, 2008: Italy's most prominent Muslim commentator converts to Catholicism and is baptized by Benedict.

Research by MICHAEL

MESSANO

A LOOK BACK