He was elected
pontiff for the burgeoning Christian faithful and the direct successor of St.
In the Christmas Eve Thought for the Day, the
pontiff also recalled with "great fondness" his visit to Britain earlier this year.
The
Pontiff makes the first-ever state visit by a Pope and he will bless cancer-stricken schoolboy Anthon McManus, inset, pictured with a copy of the request he wrote.
The
pontiff admitted there had been "a misplaced concern for the reputation of the Church and the avoidance of scandal, resulting in failure to apply existing canonical penalties and to safeguard the dignity of every person".
She appeared confused and agitated, perhaps suffering from mental problems, and said she wanted to hug the
pontiff, it added.
He celebrated Mass in St Peter's Basilica to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Pius, who became
pontiff in 1939.
During a homily in a church near St Peter's Square yesterday the
pontiff was reflecting on the goals of science and wondering whether a pill against death would be a good discovery.
Images of Ratzinger from early childhood to his ascent through the priesthood to his first year as
pontiff fill this descriptive chronicle of his challenges, achievements, and personality.
Before arriving in Ankara to a red carpet welcome complete with an honor guard, the
pontiff said the goal of his visit was dialogue and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims.
The bishops have an opportunity to break away from the daily grind in their own localities and renew contact with the heart of the Church in Rome, while the
Pontiff studies their regional reports and then offers comments and encouragement from the larger perspective of a worldwide Church.
And ironically, the issue he was tackling in that speech was how violence and religion don't mix -- followed by some incensed Muslims burning churches in the West Bank, burning the
pontiff in effigy and shooting Sister Leonella.
Benedict retains an impressive list of titles, however, including "bishop of Rome, vicar of Jesus Christ, successor of the prince of the apostles, supreme
pontiff of the universal church, primate of Italy, archbishop and metropolitan of the province of Rome, sovereign of the Vatican city-state, and servant of the servants of God.
