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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.

Monday

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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Sunday

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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Wednesday

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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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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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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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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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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Tuesday

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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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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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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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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