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Pope Benedict's official biographer, Peter Seewald, reports former pope is "very frail" since his return from visiting his older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, in Bavaria. His personal secretary, Archbishop George Ganswein, states "the health conditions are not of particular concern, except for those of a 93 year old who is going through a painful, but not serious, disease."
2020-08-3

Cardinal Antonios Naguib resigns as Patriarch of Alexandria and head of the Coptic Catholic Church, at the age of 77. The Coptic Synod, with the approval of Pope Benedict XVI, elects Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak to replace him.
2013-01-18

In a statement by Pope Benedict XVI he says that Communism does not work for Cuba and that he is ready to help the island find new ways to move forward in a peaceful manner.
2012-03-23

The Vatican claims recent comments by Pope Benedict XVI concerning the use of condoms by male sex workers to reduce HIV infection do not mean the contraceptive devices can be used to fight against pregnancy in females.
2010-12-21

Pope Benedict XVI refuses the resignations of Irish bishops Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field, who resigned at Christmas over criticism in the Murphy Report into child sexual abuse.
2010-08-11

The Pope encounters thousands of Facebook protesters after a seven-week online campaign against his views on contraception and HIV-AIDS.
2010-05-11

Ten Maltese men, who have taken three priests to court on charges of child abuse, request a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Malta this weekend. [http:--in.reuters.com-article-worldNews-idINIndia-47636020100412 (Reuters India)] [http:--www.bostonherald.com-news-international-europe-view-20100412maltese_victims_want_to_meet_pope_on_island-srvc=home&position=recent ("Boston Herald")]date=August 2019
2010-04-12

Benedict's security is increased for his visit to Malta after the island's population of sexually abused announce plans to protest at his handling of the scandal.
2010-04-12

Pope Benedict XVI signs his letter to Irish Catholics, sent as his first official documented response to the issue of child sex abuse and due to be published by the Vatican on Saturday and read at Sunday Mass.
2010-03-19