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Reviewing the papacy of Benedict XVI

February 27, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI oversaw a short but difficult chapter in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, in which scandals emerged involving sexual abuse, interfaith relations and some of the pope's closest aides.

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Pope Benedict XVI REUTERS/Max Rossi
Image: Reuters

Pope Benedict XVI oversaw a short but difficult chapter in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, in which scandals emerged involving sexual abuse, interfaith relations and those close to the pope. DW reviews a selection of issues that dominated headlines during the outgoing pope's tenure.

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Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle sits during a mass at a Catholic gathering in Manila on February 16, 2013. (Photo: JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images)

Asia beyond Benedict

Some Asian Catholics see Pope Benedict XVI’s departure as an opportunity for change.
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Pope holds last public appearance

Pope Benedict has bid farewell to worshippers at his final general audience. Tens of thousands gathered at the Vatican. The Pope told them he'd resigned for the good of the church.
February 27, 201301:07 min
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful after arriving in St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. The weekly event which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, but has been moved outdoors to St. Peter's Square so more people can attend. The pope has two days left before he takes the historic step of becoming the first pontiff in some six centuries to step down instead of ruling for life. REUTERS/Max Rossi (VATICAN - Tags: RELIGION)

Cheers for Benedict

Pope Benedict XVI bid farewell before a huge, cheering crowd at St. Peter's Square.
February 27, 2013
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Pope leads final Sunday prayers

Pope Benedict XVI has given his final Sunday Angelus prayers in the Vatican. He says he will not abandon the church after he leaves his post later this week.
February 24, 201301:02 min
Pope Benedict XVI

Too Eurocentric?

The majority of Catholic cardinals are European, and some say the church neglects Latin America.
February 27, 2013

The Pope Retires - German politicians reflect on Pope Benedict XVI

Many German politicians had high expectations of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he was elected pope in 2005. Now that he has announced his retirement, many politicians are admitting disappointment. They have been disillusioned by the Pope’s response to ongoing sexual abuse scandals in the church and his decision to lift the excommunication of a bishop who is a Holocaust denier.
PoliticsFebruary 14, 201305:31 min
The buildings of St. Peter's Square stand behind the focal point of the picture, a blue-and-white Bavarian flag. (Photo: Bernd Riegert DW)

Joseph Ratzinger

German pilgrims travel to Rome to say goodbye to their "German pope"
February 27, 2013
Pope Benedict in his popemobile in Angola EPA/CIRO FUSCO

African challenges for new pope

The Catholic church in Africa faces numerous challenges.
March 13, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass in Aparecida, Brazil, in May 2007

Is God Brazilian?

In the world's largest Catholic country, a Brazilian pope could revitalize a distant church.
February 24, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience on February 13 FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images

Vote for a pope

Who will succeed Pope Benedict XVI? Vatican insiders are dropping a number of names.
February 13, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI leaves as he appears for the last time at the balcony of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi (ITALY - Tags: RELIGION)

Benedict clears the pontiff's stage

Benedict XVI has resigned, but he won't have to worry about his future — or his Twitter account.
ReligionFebruary 28, 2013
BERLIN, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Benedict XVI gives a historic speech at the Bundestag on September 22, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. This was the first occasion ever that a Pope has addressed the Bundestag in person. Pope Benedict, who is German, is in Berlin on the first of a four-day visit to Germany. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Benedict XVI's legacy

The pope has resigned his post, leaving behind a Church rocked by scandal and internal crisis.
February 12, 2013
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