it was an attempt to roll back the advance of secularism in europe and north america. but in it lay an acknowledgement of the church s declining influence in its traditional heartlands. back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he d played any role in covering up abuse, but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he d made mistakes in handling the matter. in february 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing age and failing health. the election of his successor, pope francis, represented a break with much of what benedict
but he also sparked controversy in 2006 when, during a lecture he gave in germany, he quoted criticism of islam by a 14th century christian leader and appeared to link the religion with jihad and holy war. there were violent protests in several muslim countries. the pope apologised and made a point of setting up the first catholic muslim forum. but back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he d played any role in covering up abuse. but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he d made mistakes in handling the matter. in february 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing age and failing health.
marginalisation of religion. i cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance. but back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he d played any role in covering up abuse. but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he d made mistakes in handling the matter. in february 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing age and failing health. the election of his successor, pope francis, represented a break with much of what benedict had stood for. the challenge was to find a leader
benedict exuded pastoral warmth and warned against marginalisation of religion. but back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he d played any role in covering up abuse. but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he d made mistakes in handling the matter. in february 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing age and failing health. the election of his successor, pope francis, represented a break with much of what benedict had stood for. the challenge was to find a leader who could close the widening gap between a doctrinally conservative vatican and the church worldwide. pope benedict upheld the creeds of the church and taught them with conviction.
warmth and warned against marginalisation of religion. i cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particularly of christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance. but back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he d played any role in covering up abuse. but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he d made mistakes in handling the matter. speaks italian in february 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing age and failing health. the election of his successor, pope francis, represented a break