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A row of cardinals wearing white robes, red capes and red hats walks up to St Peter's Cathederal

Vatican's office for health care concludes report on the use of condoms in the fight against AIDS

Officials from the Roman Catholic Church say the 200-page document takes a number of scientific and moral viewpoints into account.

A flag with the photo of Pope Benedict XVI fluttering int he wind against the blue sky

Glossy Calendars

Golden retrievers, romantic landscapes and wet t-shirt contests are out. Pope Benedict XVI is in.

Hijackers Surrender

Two Turks surrendered to Italian police on Tuesday after hijacking a Turkish Airlines plane.

Analysts Criticize Pope

Pope Benedict XVI lacks his predecessor's talent for diffusing tensions, according to analysts.

A black and white photograph of Pope Pius XII in 1946

Vatican's Secret Archives

Vatican archive expert Hubert Wolf said the new documents may give insight on Pope Pius XII.

Vatican Apology Fails to Soothe Muslim Outrage

A spokesman for Pope Benedict XVI Saturday apologized to Muslims for citing a controversial passage that appeared to link Islam to violence.

Muslims in Uproar Over Pope's Remarks on Islam

A wave of Muslim outrage swept the globe after Pope Benedict XVI linked Islam with violence, while reactions within Germany have been mixed. Chancellor Angela Merkel said the pope had been misunderstood.

Vatican reaction

The Vatican has issued a response to the Muslim outcry over the remarks made by the Pope.

Pope Wraps Up Sentimental Tour of Homeland

Pope Benedict XVI winds up his nostalgic visit to his native Bavaria on Thursday with a visit to the cathedral in the city of Freising where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1951.

Pope Enjoys Private Time Near End of German Trip

Pope Benedict XVI knelt in prayer at the graves of his mother, father and sister on Wednesday in the emotional highpoint of his six-day visit to his native Bavaria.

Pope Benedict XVI: "We Have a Positive Idea to Offer"

In an exclusive interview with German media conducted last week, Pope Benedict XVI addressed issues of marriage and family, world peace and intercultural dialogue as well as the future of the Catholic Church.

Vatican to Open Pre-World War II Archives

Pope Benedict has decided to open all Vatican archives from 1922-1939. The Secret Archives should offer new insight into the Catholic Church's actions in Europe during the rise of Nazism.

Catholic Church Plots Next Move as "Popetown" Airs

MTV Germany risked incurring further wrath from the Catholic Church Wednesday when it went ahead with the planned broadcasting of a single test episode of the irreverent cartoon series "Popetown."

Pope Urges Talks With Iran in Easter Message

Pope Benedict XVI called for peace across the world in a traditional Easter message Sunday, his 79th birthday, highlighting particular concern over Iran's nuclear drive and conflicts and poverty across the globe.

MTV Series Mocking Vatican Runs Into Trouble

A cartoon television series lampooning the Catholic Church is planned for German MTV in May. The Catholic Church in Germany has protested, saying it will try to persuade MTV not to air the show.

"Historic" Meeting Between Vatican and German Rabbis

For the first time in history, Vatican cardinals met for official talks with German rabbis. Representatives of both religious communities described the meeting as "historic."

Papal iPod is Heaven-Sent

Britain's Queen Elizabeth has one, so does US President George W. Bush. Now, German-born Pope Benedict XVI has joined the list of dignitaries who own an iPod -- in papal white, of course.

The World Weighs In as Cartoon Saga Continues

Governments and commentators called for calm as angry protests over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed continued to rage in the Arab world. Asian Muslims also spoke out as tensions simmered there.

Prada Pope Causes "Cassock War"

With his penchant for designer eyewear and Italian shoes, Pope Benedict XVI is becoming an unlikely style icon. A man who knows what he likes, he has now caused a stir by apparently switching tailors.

Kaiser to Visit Pope for Divine Guidance?

As part of his global tour which takes in all the countries that qualified for the World Cup, Franz Beckenbauer and entourage are stopping off at the Vatican. Could Der Kaiser be looking for some holy help?

Vatican Beatifies "Lion of Münster"

A German prelate known as the "Lion of Münster" for standing up to the Nazi regime was beatified in front of 10,000 of his compatriots at a ceremony at the Vatican on Sunday.

Pope Meets Dissident Theologian for Talks

The news that Pope Benedict XVI met over the weekend with the controversial Swiss theologian Hans Küng, one of the most prominent critics of the Roman Catholic Church, struck the Vatican like a bolt from the blue.

Pope Bids "Auf Wiedersehen" as WYD Ends

Pope Benedict XVI took off from Cologne-Bonn airport on Sunday evening on his return flight to Rome after a successful four-day visit to his homeland.

Trapattoni to Meet the Pope

World Youth Day 2005

The world's largest gathering of Catholic youth takes place in Cologne in mid-August. DW-WORLD looks at the event and offers insight on the issues at stake when 800,000 Catholics meet to celebrate their religion.

Benedict's First 100 Days Stress Continuity

Pope Benedict XVI has big shoes to fill as successor to the beloved John Paul II. In his first 100 days in office, he's largely walking the same theological path as his predecessor, although his style is his own.

Pope to Meet Muslim Leaders in Cologne

Ratzinger Uncovered in Guide to Pope's Bavaria

Not content with providing guided tours of his current address, an Italian entrepreneur based in Germany has copied the business ideas of her Vatican-based cousins by compiling a guidebook to the pope's Bavaria.

The Vatican's "Soccer Missionaries"

The Vatican is not well known for its promotion of sports but with its new sports radio channel, the Holy See is attempting to coax back its flock through the healing power of sport, specifically soccer.

A German Mini-Me Pope to Cuddle

Now you can have that feeling of being part of the flock everywhere you go thanks to a new portable Benedict XVI pope doll which makes penance possible wherever you may be.

Papal Apartment for Sale in Bonn

One Month on, Pope's Plans Still Unknown

Since taking office last month, Pope Benedict XVI has worked hard to reassure and stabilize the Catholic church. However, while following his predecessor's line so far, questions remain about his own future plans.

John Paul II on Fast Track to Sainthood

Pope Benedict XVI announced on Friday that he had started the process to beatify his predecessor John Paul II, dispensing with rules that require a five-year waiting period before the sainthood procedure can start.

Pope Versus Potter in Reading Ring

Just a couple of weeks after his elevation to the lofty heights of head of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI is giving Harry Potter a run for his money in the literary popularity stakes.

Fighting the Devil in Rome

The first college course on exorcism is being offered at a Catholic university in Italy. Already, priests from around the world are flocking to Rome to participate and study psychology, law and a history of satanism.

VW Golf For Sale: One Papal Owner

It doesn't promise to save those on the highway to hell or put the new owner on the expressway to heaven but the modest six year-old VW Golf making waves on eBay does have something of the divine about it.

New Pope Meets German Pilgrims

Pope Benedict XVI received German pilgrims in the Vatican just one day after his official inauguration. The Bavarian pontiff told his countrymen that he had prayed not to be made head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI Installed

Pope Benedict XVI was inaugurated as pope Sunday as the Catholic Church unveiled its full pomp and pageantry in a joyous ceremony in front of world leaders and up to half a million pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square.

Germany's New Monarch

Royalty-obsessed Germans now finally have a new sovereign to call their own: As the new pope, Benedict XVI became the Vatican's head of state on Tuesday, but he'll still keep his German passport.

Germany's Pope

Click here for DW-WORLD's dossier on Benedict XVI.

Pope Stresses Interfaith Dialogue

Pope Benedict XVI says he's open to dialogue both within his own Church and with other faiths during his first public Mass Wednesday, signaling a commitment to continue the reconciliatory stance of his predecessors.

From a Small Bavarian Town to the Papacy

If his past statements are any indication, Pope Benedict XVI will continue to tread the conservative line that was among the defining characteristics of his predecessor's long reign.