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New Pope Greets the World Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany is elected to succeed Pope John Paul II. The late pontiff's closest adviser, Ratzinger will be known as Pope Benedict XVI. The 115 voting cardinals reached a decision on their second day of deliberations.
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New Pope Greets the World

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany is elected to succeed Pope John Paul II.

Pope Benedict Warns Against Moral Relativism

The new leader of the Roman Catholic Church has denounced moral relativism, the idea that moral principles have no objective standards. Pope Benedict XVI has characterized it as the major evil facing the church. Some observers believe he is taking a stance in the tense cultural wars in the United States.

Pope Benedict Warns Against Moral Relativism

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Benedict XVI Formally Installed as Pope

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims pack into St. Peter's Square to watch Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger's formal installation as Pope Benedict XVI in a huge, open-air mass. The new pontiff offered a warm greeting to all non-Catholics and urged humanity to rediscover God to help transform the ills of the world.

Benedict XVI Formally Installed as Pope

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Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Mass

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass in the Sistine Chapel, a day after his election as successor to John Paul II. In an address at the end of the mass, the Pope, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, spoke of reaching out to non-Catholic Christians and members of other faiths. Robert Siegel talks with John Allen of the National Catholic Reporter.

Pope Benedict XVI Celebrates Mass

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Archbishop of Baltimore Looks to Benedict XVI Papacy

Melissa Block talks with Cardinal William Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore, who voted in the papal conclave, about Pope Benedict XVI and concerns in the Catholic Church about watering down of doctrine.

Archbishop of Baltimore Looks to Benedict XVI Papacy

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Benedict XVI Expected to Follow John Paul II's Lead

Vatican watchers believe the ascension of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany to the Roman Catholic Church's highest office is a call for leadership continuity. The new Pope Benedict XVI was a close confidant of Pope John Paul II and advocates a strict interpretation of church orthodoxy.

Benedict XVI Expected to Follow John Paul II's Lead

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Latin Americans React with Joy, Tinge of Disappointment

Some Latin Americans are disappointed that the new pope is not one of their own. But overall, they are heartened that the new Pope Benedict XVI is someone who was close to John Paul II, whom they adored. Latin America is home to nearly half of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics.

Latin Americans React with Joy, Tinge of Disappointment

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U.S. Reaction to the New Pontiff

The announcement of a new pope Tuesday has resulted in mixed reactions across the country. Some Catholic-Americans welcomed the change, while others voiced concerns that Pope Benedict XVI's belief in core church values is out of sync with their modern lifestyles.

U.S. Reaction to the New Pontiff

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Cardinal Ratzinger Becomes Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, John Paul II's closest adviser, is elected to be the next pope. He will be known as Benedict XVI. The 115 voting cardinals elected Cardinal Ratzinger, 78, early Tuesday evening, on their third ballot.

Cardinal Ratzinger Becomes Pope Benedict XVI

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Former Student Recalls Ratzinger

Melissa Block talks with Father Joseph Fessio, provost of Ave Maria University and founder of Ignatius Press. Fessio was among Joseph Ratzinger's theology students in Germany and praises Ratzinger's abilities as a teacher and theologian.

Former Student Recalls Ratzinger

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Catholic Church Struggles with Social Justice

The Roman Catholic Church is still grappling with its mission to help the poor. Pope John Paul II reined in the liberation theology movement, which was often identified with helping the poverty-stricken in Latin America but feared by some church leaders as too radical. However, liberation theology still thrives in rural El Salvador.

Catholic Church Struggles with Social Justice

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The Future of Dissent in the Catholic Church

Dissident theologians faced a clampdown during the papacy of John Paul II. One possible successor -- Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger -- seems to have signaled he would take an even stronger stance against dissenting voices.

The Future of Dissent in the Catholic Church

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Cardinal Ratzinger Seen as Papal Contender

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany is considered one of most conservative voices in the church and has also emerged as a key contender to become the next Pope. Melissa Block talks with John Allen, Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and author of Cardinal Ratzinger: The Vatican's Enforcer of the Faith.

Cardinal Ratzinger Seen as Papal Contender

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German Catholics Urge a More Liberal Pontiff

Kyle James reports from Berlin on Pope John Paul II's imprint on the German Catholic Church and the nation's hopes for his successor. Many German parishioners left the church during John Paul's tenure because of his conservative -- some would say dogmatic -- views.

German Catholics Urge a More Liberal Pontiff

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Young Catholics and the Next Pope

Pope John Paul II was seen as a universal hit with young Catholics, though he had some critics among them. Many younger people in the church say they would like to see another younger, vigorous pontiff who can connect with future generations.

Young Catholics and the Next Pope

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Factoring Age into the Selection of a New Pope

Pope John Paul II was elected at 58 and served 26 years, a reign that was either long enough to allow him to be effective, or too long for the good of the church, depending on the observer.

Factoring Age into the Selection of a New Pope

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Papal History Filled with Colorful Men, Intrigue

Problems with papal succession have dogged the church throughout its history. In the past it has led to wars, schisms and intrigue. Often, bribery, poison or the dagger decided who became pope.

Papal History Filled with Colorful Men, Intrigue

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Civil Strife Complicates Missionaries' Work in Congo

The Catholic Church is booming in Africa. One order of Catholic missionaries, Les Soeurs Cannossiennes, has been based in Eastern Congo since the 1950s. NPR's Jason Beaubien talked with the sisters about the death of Pope John Paul II, and the challenges they face today in war-torn Congo.

Civil Strife Complicates Missionaries' Work in Congo

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Protestantism Grows in Latin America

Catholic-to-Protestant conversion has been growing dramatically in Latin America -- a region that is home to nearly half of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics. The next pope will need to be mindful of the appeal of more relaxed rules and energetic services of some Protestant religions.

Protestantism Grows in Latin America

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Tailors Prepare Vestments for a New Pope

A family of tailors in Rome is preparing for the choice of a new pontiff. Garments in three sizes are being created so the new pope can appeal in full papal regalia immediately after he is chosen.

Tailors Prepare Vestments for a New Pope

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