(1981) Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, a leading theologian and archbishop of Munich, West Germany, has been named by Pope John Paul II to head the Vatican Congregation for Doctrine – the office charged with upholding orthodoxy. RNS file photo.

New York – The Vatican’s chief theologian, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, gave a 50 minute talk at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church on Jan. 27, 1988. He blamed contemporary biblical scholars for diluting the teaching of the Church. Ratzinger’s presentation was interrupted by a dozen gay and lesbian activists who sprang to their feet and shouts “Facist! Stop the inquisition!” RNS file photo by Odette Lupis.

Pope Benedict XVI greets a roaring crowd upon his introduction as the Roman Catholic Church’s new pontiff on April 19, 2005. RNS file photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

Pope Benedict XVI, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, greets a roaring crowd upon his introduction as the Roman Catholic Church’s new pontiff. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

In a dramatic ending to the outdoor Mass that officially launched his papal reign, Pope Benedict XVI drove through St. Peter’s Square standing in an open-topped jeep, a visual contrast to the bullet-proof “popemobile” that his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, used after being targeted by an assassin in 1981. A slight figure in gold brocade vestments and mitre, Benedict XVI gave his blessing as church bells rang, the music of Bach resounded from an organ inside St. Peter’s Basilica and pilgrims cheered and waved flags. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

Pope Benedict XVI holds the papal staff during the installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, April 24, 2005. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

Pope Benedict XVI waves incense during the installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, April 24, 2005. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

Pope Benedict XVI greets one of the faithful representing the nations of the world during his inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, April 24, 2005. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

In a dramatic ending to the outdoor Mass that officially launched his papal reign, Pope Benedict XVI drove through St. Peter’s Square standing in an open-topped jeep, a visual contrast to the bullet-proof “popemobile” that his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, used after being targeted by an assassin in 1981. A slight figure in gold brocade vestments and mitre, Benedict XVI gave his blessing as church bells rang, the music of Bach resounded from an organ inside St. Peter’s Basilica and pilgrims cheered and waved flags. Behind the pope are Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

Pope Benedict XVI offers a young worshipper Holy Communion during his installation Mass on April 24, 3005. In his homily, Benedict made a direct appeal to the young: “And so today with great strength and great conviction, on the basis of long personal experience of life, I say to you, dear young people: Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything. When we give ourselves to him, we receive a hundred-fold in return. Yes, open, open wide the doors to Christ _ and you will find true life.” Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

In a symbolic moment during the two-hour Mass officially installing Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez of Chile places a pallium around Benedict’s neck. The pallium, a woolen stole, is a symbol of the mission of the pastor, who like the good shepherd, must lead the lost sheep of humanity out of the desert, the new pope said. Photo by Grzegorz Galazka.

Pope Benedict XVI, wearing flowered leis from Hawaii, greets Bishop James Moynihan of Syracuse, N.Y., at an audience Monday (May 16). On Saturday, the Vatican beatified Mother Marianne Cope, a nun who was raised in New York and went to work with lepers in Hawaii. Photo by Stephen D. Cannerelli.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians, meets then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) at the 2005 funeral of Pope John Paul II. The two will meet during the pope’s Nov. 28-Dec. 1 visit to Turkey. Religion News Service photo courtesy of N. Manginas/Orthodox Observer.

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted at Andrews Air Force Base by President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and Jenna Bush. Religion News Service photo by Lee Love.

President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the White House on Wednesday (April 16, 2008). Benedict is only the second pope to visit the White House. Religion News Service photo by Kristopher Triplaar.

President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the White House on Wednesday (April 16). Benedict is only the second pope to visit the White House. Religion News Service photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar.

President Bush welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to the White House on Wednesday (April 16). Benedict is only the second pope to visit the White House. Religion News Service photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at the recently finished Nationals baseball stadium in Washington, D.C., April 17, as part of his visit to the United States. Religion News Service photo by Tyrone Turner.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at the recently finished Nationals baseball stadium in Washington, D.C., April 17, as part of his visit to the United States. Religion News Service photo by Tyrone Turner.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at the recently finished Nationals baseball stadium in Washington, D.C., April 17, as part of his visit to the United States. Religion News Service photo by Tyrone Turner.

Pope Benedict XVI, shown here greeting the crowds at a rally in New York, now faces challenges to the central mission of his papacy: promoting Europe’s Christian heritage. Religion News Service photo by Bill Lyons/The Staten Island Advance.

Pope Benedict XVI greets Ebi Ogbu, 22, from Imaculate Conception Church in Staten Island, N.Y. at St. Josheph’s Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y. With him is New York Cardinal Edward Egan. Religion News Service photo by Bill Lyon/The Staten Island Advance.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives for Mass at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday. For use with RNS-POPE-SUNDAY, transmitted April 20, 2008. Religion News Service photo by Chris Faytok/The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Saturday, April 19, 2008, in New York. Religion News Service photo by Jin Lee/Staten Island Advance.

Pope Benedict arrives on Sunday at Yankee Stadium for the last Mass of his U.S. trip. For use with RNS-POPE-SUNDAY, transmitted April 20, 2008. Religion News Service photo by Chris Faytok/The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J.

Pope Benedict XVI waving to the crowd at Yankee Stadium at the end of the Papal Mass. (Photo by Hilton Flores)

Rabbi Leon Klenicki, the longtime interfaith director for the Anti-Defamation League, greets Pope Benedict XVI in an undated photo. Klenicki died Jan. 25 at age 78. Religion News Service photo courtesy ADL.

Pope Benedict XVI standing near the end of the Papal mass at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Hilton Flores)

Pope Benedict XVI’s personal assistant, Paolo Gabriele, seated in front, arrives with the pope in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in this 2007 file photo. RNS photo by Gregory A. Shemitz.

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Feb. 8. RNS photo by Paul Haring/Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict XVI leaves Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24. RNS photo by Paul Haring/Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict XVI leaves Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24. RNS photo by Paul Haring/Catholic News Service

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd during one of his weekly general audiences in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in 2007. RNS photo by Gregory A. Shemitz.