January 7,2013: Pope Benedict XVI attends an audience with foreign ambassadors to the Holy See at the Vatican.


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Jan.6 ,2013: Pope Benedict XVI embraces his personal secretary Georg Gaenswein after elevating him as a bishop during the Epiphany mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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January 01,2013: Pope Benedict XVI accepts offertory gifts from children dressed as the Three Kings during Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.

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Dec. 31,2012: Pope Benedict XVI visits the traditional Crib in St Peter's Square at the Vatican.
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Dec. 31,2012: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the First Vespers and Te Deum prayers in Saint Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.


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December 29, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets Brother Alois Leser, prior of the Taize ecumenical community in France, during a Taize prayer service with young people in St. Peter's Sq. at the Vatican.

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December 28,2012: Monks of the Taize ecumenical community and volunteers pray around a cross at the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome .

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December 28,2012: Young people come to Rome to participate the European meeting, organized by the Community of Taize.

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December 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he blesses the crowd as he makes his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) address from a balcony in St. Peter's Square in Vatican.



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Dec. 25,2012: Sant'Egidio celebrates 30 years of Christmas lunch for the needy.

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Dec. 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of Christmas Eve mass at St. Peter's Bas. to mark the nativity of Jesus Christ, in Vatican City.


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Dec. 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (C), helped by his personal secretary Mons Georg Ganswein (R), lights a candle from his private window, at the end of the unveiling ceremony of the crib in St Peter's Sq. at the Vatican.
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Dec.22 Pope Benedict XVI talks with former papal butler Paolo Gabriele during a private audience at the Vatican.

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Dec. 21,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (L) greets Card. Angelo Bagnasco during the traditional exchange of Christmas greetings to the Curia, in the Clemetine hall, at the Vatican.
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December 19,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves during the weekly general audience at the Vatican.

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December 18,2012: Presentation audiobook "Bread and Paradise" (on texts by Luigi Guanella) at room Marconi Vatican Radio.

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December 17,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets Giovanni Petrucci during an audience with a delegation of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) in Vatican.

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December 17,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas known also as Abu Mazen during a private audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.
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December 16,2012: Children display a Nativity figure of baby Jesus in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for the traditional Sunday's Angelus prayer.

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December 16,2012: Pope Benedict XVI holds up the cup contain the blood of Christ during his pastoral visit to St. Patrick Church on the outskirts of Rome.

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December 14,2012: The Vatican Christmas tree is lit up after a ceremony in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.
 

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December 14,2012: Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson during the press Conference for the presentation of the Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the 46th World Day of Peace (1 January 2013) on the theme: 'Blessed are the peacemakers.

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December 12,2012: Pope Benedict XVI clicks on a tablet to send his first twitter message during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.

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December 11,2012: Mons. Georg Gänswein poses with Natalia Tsarkova after a presentation of the book "The Mystery of a small pond", at Istitut Patristico Augustinianum, Rome .
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December 9, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by Card. Marc Ouellet during a mass marking the opening of a the congress "Ecclesia in America" in St Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.
 

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December 8 , 2012: People walks past a Christmas Tree in Via Condotti in Rome.


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December 8, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI prays at the statue of virgin Mary during the feast of the Immaculate Conception at Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) in Rome.

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December 7 2012: Mons. Georg Ganswein new prefect papal.

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December 5,2012: Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead his weekly audience at the Paul VI hall in the Vatican.
 

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December 4,2012: Press conference of the International Congress on the Church Ecclesia in America in the American Continent, at The Vatican.

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December 3,2012: Vatican communications adviser Greg Burke attends the presentation of Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter profile to journalists at the Vatican press hall.

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December 1,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of a Vespers mass in Saint Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.


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November 28,2012: Pope Benedict XVI prays during the general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.
 

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November 26,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by Mons. Leonardo Sapienza, leads a special audience at the Vatican.


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November 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads a consistory mass in St. Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.

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November 24,2012: Card. Isaac Cleemis Thottunkal poses with Mons. Georg Ganswein during the courtesy visits at the Vatican.

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November 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets Card. Luis Antonio Tagle during a consistory mass in St Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.

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November 23,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman during a private audience at the Vatican.
 

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November 22.2012: Pope Benedict XVI poses with the President of the Republic of Haiti Michel Martelly Joseph in the Private Library at the Vatican.

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November 21,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of his Wednesday audience at the Paul VI hall in Vatican.
 

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November 20,2012: Pope Benedict XVI's book "The Childhood of Jesus" is seen during a presentation in Vatican.
 

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November 19,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets the Benin President Yayi Boni during a visit in his private library at the Vatican.

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November 17, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI (L), flanked by Mons. Zygmunt Zimowski, gives his blessing during the meeting of Reflection and Prayer for Health Care Workers in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

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November 16,2012: Prof. Salvatore Pagliuca president of UNITALSI speaks during the XXVII International Conference "The Hospital, setting for Evangelisation: a Human and Spiritual Mission" in the New Synod Hall at the Vatican.

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November 16,2012: Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with the Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara (L) during a private audience at the Vatican.

 

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November 15-17,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets in audience prelates from the Episcopal Conference of France, on their "ad limina", at the Vatican.

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November 14,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead the Wednesday general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican.
 

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Nov. 13,2012: Press conference of presentation of the XXVII International Conference the hospital, setting for Evangelisation: a human and spiritual mission, at the Vatican.

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Nov. 12,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (C) flanked by Marco Impagliazzo (L) and Andrea Riccardi (R) smiles during a visit to an old people's home, run by the Sant'Egidio Roman Catholic community in Rome.

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Nov. 10,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by Mons. James Harvey (L) and Mons. Georg Gänswein leads a special audience for members of Saint Cecilia choir academy in Paul VI's Hall at the Vatican.

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Nov. 7,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican.

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Nov. 6,2012: Conference on "The birth and development of the Vatican Press Office: by the Council to the Present" at the University LUMSA in Rome.

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Nov. 3, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass, to commemorate the cardinals and bishops who died this year, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

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Nov. 2,2012: Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the tomb of Pope Paul VI for the traditional All Souls' Day prayers in the Vatican Grottoes at the Vatican.

Oct. 31,2012: 500 years sIstine Chapel

Oct. 31, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI conduct Vespers in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.

Oct. 31,2012: Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing at the end of his general audience, at the Vatican.

Oct. 29,2012: Pope Benendict XVI meets with Croatia Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic at his private studio at the Vatican.

Oct. 28, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI holds the gospel during a mass at the end of the Synod of Bishops at St. Peter's Basilica at the vatican.

Oct. 27,2012: Card. Donald William Wuerl, speaks during the press conference at the end of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (7-28 October 2012) on "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian faith."

October 27, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization at the Vatican.
 

Oct. 26,2012: Card. Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence during the press conference of presentation of the Message of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
 

Oct. 25, 2012: Card. Edwin Frederick O'Brien, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, kisses the cross during the taking possession of the diaconate of San Sebastiano al Palatino in Rome.

Oct. 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets Cyprus president Demetris Christofias (L) during a meeting at his private studio in Vatican.

Oct. 24,2012: The Pope announces the creation of six new cardinals.

October 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican.
 

Oct. 23,2012: Card. Thomas Christopher Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, poses during the taking of possession of the Title of St. Patrick in Rome.

October 21, 2012: A nun, wearing an Indian headress and holding a painting representing Kateri Tekakwitha, attends a special mass to name seven new saints in St Peter's square at the Vatican.

Oct. 20,2012: Awards ceremony of 2012 Ratzinger Prize in Theology in the Vatican.

Canonization of the Blesseds: Giacomo Berthieu, Pedro Calungsod, Giovanni Battista Piamarta, Maria del Monte Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras, Marianna Cope, Caterina Tekakwitha, Anna Schäffer.

In this photo: Giovanni Battista Piamarta.

Oct. 19,2012: Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization at the Vatican.
 

Oct. 18,2012: Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong (China), speaks during the press conference of "Report after the discussion" of the XIII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican.

Oct. 17,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by Mons. Georg Gaenswein, leads his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican.

Oct. 14,2012: His Beatitude Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar, takes possession of the Title of San Bernardo alle Terme, Rome.
 

Oct. 14,2012: Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York, puts his biretta to a child at the end of his taking possession of the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Monte Mario, Rome.

Oct. 11,2012: Faithful stand at St. Peter's square during a torchlit procession to mark the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council at the Vatican.

October 11,2012: Bishops attend a mass to open the year of faith in St. Peter's square at the Vatican.

Oct. 10,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of the general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

October 8,2012: Pope Benedict XVI speaks during the opening meeting of the Synod of Bishops on the new evangelization at the Vatican.

October 7,2012: Pope Benedict XVI marking the opening of the Synod of bishops in St. Peter's square at the Vatican.

October 6,2012: Raniero La Valle and Luz Maria Longoria de Alvarez Icaza,during the International Theological Conference, Woman Theologians Re-read Vatican II: Taking in a history and preparing for the Future, in Rome.

Oct. 5 2012: Tina Beattie poses during the International Theological Conference, Woman Theologians Re-read Vatican II: Taking in a history and preparing for the Future, in Rome.
 

Oct. 4 2012: Luz Maria Longoria de Alvarez Icaza, poses during the International Theological Conference, Woman Theologians Re-read Vatican II: Taking in a history and preparing for the Future, in Rome.

Oct. 4,2012: Pope Benedict XVI looks at the statue of the Virgin Mary as he leads a mass during his pastoral visit in Loreto.<<Selection in Document>>

Oct. 3-4,2012: The International Study Conference, The Second Vatican Council in the light of the archives of the Council Fathers.In this photo: Card. Angelo Scola and Card. Roger Marie Elie Etchegaray.

Oct. 03,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.
 

Oct. 03,2012: Marcello Di Finizio, a 49-year-old man from Trieste, northern Italy, stands on the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica holding a banner reading, "Help! Enough Monti, Enough Europe! Enough Multinationals!" during a protest against the government, at the Vatican.

Oct. 02 2012: Rev.mo P. Ardura Bernard, O. Praem., President of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences speaks during the press conference of the International Study Conference on the Second Vatican Council (Vatican October 3 to 5), at the Vatican press office.

Sept. 29,2012: Paolo Gabriele (R) during the start of his trial at the Vatican.

Sept. 26,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican.

Sept. 20,2012: Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli has died at the age of 77 years.

Sept. 19,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets a bishop during his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

September 16,2012: Maronite Catholic Patriarch Bechara Rai receives the Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Benedict XVI during an open air mass service at Beirut City Centre Waterfront.

September 15,2012: Artists perform as Pope Benedict XVI attends a meeting with youths in Bkerke in Harissa, near Beirut.

September 15,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (C) meets religious authorities at Baabda Presidential Palace near Beirut.

September 14,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (R) signs the Apostolic Exhortation as Gregorios III (L) Patriarch of the Church of Antiochthe looks on at the St. Paul Basilic in Harissa near Beirut.

September 14,2012: Pope Benedict XVI stands on a podium next to Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman during a welcome ceremony upon his arrival at Beirut's airport in Lebanon.

September 12,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads the weekly audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.
 

50 years Second Vatican Council October 1962 - October 2012

September 5,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of his weekly audience at the Paul VI hall in Vatican.

August 31,2012: Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini died in Gallarate Italy at the age of 85.

August 29,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves during his Wednesday general audience at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
 

August 28 2012: French ministers on a pilgrimage to Rome during a mass at the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola.

August 15, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI leaves to the crowd after celebrating a mass the San Tommaso da Villanova Church in Castel Gandolfo.

August 3,2012: Pope Benedict XVI attends a concert by the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

July 29,2012: Carried by boat, a statue of the Madonna of the River "Madonna Fiumarola" makes its way along the Tiber.

July 29,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads the Angelus prayer from the window of his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

July 28,2012: Mons. Edoardo Aldo Cerrato appointed new bishop of Ivrea.

July 24,2012: The Archibishop emeritus of Milan, Card. Dionigi Tettamanzi was appointed apostolic administrator of Vigevano.

July 23,2012: Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata new Vice-Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
 

July 23,2012: Pope's bulter Paolo Gabriele placed under house arrest.
 

July 18,2012: Mons. Ettore Balestrero, Secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State, speaks during a briefing on the Moneyval evaluation report on prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing adopted by the Holy See / Vatican City State.

July 15,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he celebrates a mass in St.Peter square in Frascati near Rome.
 

July 11,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (L) and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano claps as they attend a concert offered by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Pope's summer residence in Castelgandolfo, near Rome.

July 11,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (R) and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano walk before attending a concert offered by the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra at the Pope's summer residence in Castelgandolfo, near Rome.

July 10,2012: Cardinal Eugęnio de Araújo Sales, archbishop-emeritus of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, died during the night. He was 91 years old.

July 9,2012: Elected Superior General of the Verbiti, P. Heinz Kuluke greets Pope Benedict XVI during his visit at the center "Ad Gentes" of Verbiti Missionaries in Nemi.
 

July 8,2012: Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful as he leads the Angelus prayer from the window of his summer residence of Castelgandolfo.
 

July 5 2012: The archbishop of Agrigento, Msgr. Francesco Montenegro, has prohibited the celebration of a religious funeral for Giuseppe Lo Mascolo, 73, deputy head of the clan of Siculiana, Sicily.

July 3,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets from window of the Palace Apostolic of Castel Gandolfo, upon his arrival for the summer holidays.


 

July 2,2012: Mons. Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Bishop of Regensburg, appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

June 30,2012: Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo Jung, Seoul (Korea). poses with two Korean women dressed in traditional dress after the audience with the newly appointed Catholic Archbishops at Vatican.


 

June 30, 2012: Card. Rainer Maria Woelki, Archbishop of Berlin, takes possession of the title of St. John Mary Vianney in Rome.

June 29,2012: Patriarch of Venice Francesco Moraglia received the sacred Pallium from Pope Benedict XVI at St. Peter's basilica in Vatican.
 

June 28,2012: Dr.Tulli (L), Father Federico Lombardi (C) and Dr. Paolo Cipriani during the press conference at the Conference Room of the IOR, the Institute for Works of Religion.

June 28,2012: Pope Benedict XVI poses with Rev.do Diacono Paisios Kokkinakis (L), His Grace Ilias Katre, Bishop of Philomelion (2 nd L), His Eminence Emmanuel Adamidis, Metropolitan of France (3 nd L), and Card. Kurt Koch (3 nd R), during an audience at the Vatican with the Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

June 27,2012: Young wave during the Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

June 26,2012: Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the damaged church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, in Rovereto di Novi, near Modena, Italy.

June 25,2012: The journalist Greg Burke of Fox News (and Opus Dei) appointed communications consultant at the Vatican.

June 21,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (R) poses with President of Montenegro, His Excellency Mr Filip Vujanovic during a meeting at the Vatican.
 

June 20,2012: Pope Benedict XVI gives his blessing at the end of his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

June 17,2012: Card. Giuseppe Bertello kisses the cross during the taking possession of the diaconate of Saints Vito, Modesto and Crescenzia in Rome.

June 15,2012: Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi takes possession of the diaconate of the "Sacro Cuore" at the Basilica of the Sacro Cuore in Rome.

June 15,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (L) poses with Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, president of the United Nations General Assembly, during a meeting at the Vatican.

June 14,2012: Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with Jose Graziano da Silva, director of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, during a private audience at the Vatican.

June 12,2012: Sr. Pat Farrell (L) and Sr. Janet Mock (R) pose, after a meeting at the "Sant'Uffizio" at the Vatican.

June 11,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by Card. Agostino Vallini speaks as he leads an ecclesial meeting in Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran.

June 8, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI shakes hand with Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa during a meeting at the Vatican.

June 7,2012: June 23, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI, behind the Corpus Christ's relic, leads the Corpus Christi procession on an open vehicle from St. John in Lateran Basilica to St. Mary Major Basilica.

June 5,2012: Paolo Papanti-Pelletier, a judge in the Vatican court system. In the wake of the arrest of Pope Benedict XVI's private assistant, Paolo Gabriele, the judge spoke to the media about how t he Vatican's criminal justice system works.
In this photo: Jan. 14, 2012: Paolo Papanti-Pelletier during the opening ceremony of the judicial year at the Vatican,

June 6,2012: Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby during his weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

June 3,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads a Mass in Bresso, near Milan.
 

June 2, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets a Chinese child during the Feast of Testimonies of the 7th World Meeting of Families, at the Bresso Park in Milan.

June 2,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets a child during a meeting with the confirmands at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

June 1,2012: Pope Benedict XVI addresses the audience at La Scala theater at the end of a concert in Milan.

June, 1,2012: Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by Milan Archbishop Cardinal Angelo Scola (R) as he arrives in Duomo square, in Milan.

May 30,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by his personal secretary Mons. georg Gaenswein, waves as he arrives for his weekly audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican accompanied by his personal driver Pietro Cicchetti (R) and one of his assistent Sandro Mariotti (L).

May 28,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets with Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla during a private audience at the Vatican.
 

In this photo: June 24,2009: Pope Benedict XVI butler Paolo Gabiele sits in the car with the pontiff, not seen, as he arrives in St.Peter's square at the Vatican for a general audience.
May 26,2012: The Vatican confirmed Saturday that Pope Benedict XVI's butler had been arrested on suspicion of leaking confidential documents and letters from the pontiff's private study to newspapers.

May 27,2012: Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, President of the APSA, takes possession of the Diaconate of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

May 27,2012: Demonstrator holds picture of Emanuela Orlandi, as Pope Benedict XVI, background, reads his message during the Regina Coeli noon prayer in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican.

May 27,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives for the holy mass of Pentecost Sunday in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

May 26, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of a special audience in St. Peter Sq. at the Vatican.

May 25,2012: Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Necas shakes the hand with Pope Benedict XVI at his private library during a private audience at the Vatican.

May 25,2012: Ettore Gotti Tedeschi has resigned from his post as President of the IOR.

May 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets the President of the Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski at the Vatican.
 

May 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev (L) at the Vatican.

May 23,2012: Italian journalist and writer Gianluigi Nuzzi looks on during the presentation of his new book ' Sua Santita, le carte segrete di Benedetto XVI' at the foreign press club.

May 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI blesses during the Plenary Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference in the New Synod Hall in the Vatican.

May 23,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by Mons. Georg gaenswein, caresses a child at the end of his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

May 22,2012: Card. Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan, flanked by Card. Ennio Antonelli (R), speaks during the press conference of the VII World Meeting of Families at the Vatican press office.

May 20,2012: Pope Benedict XVI blesses as he leads the Angelus prayer from the window of his private apartment at the Vatican.
 

May 20,2012: Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, takes possession of the diaconate of St. Elena in Rome.

May 20,2012: Cardinal Santos Abril y Castelló, Archpriest of the Papal Liberian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, takes possession of the diaconate of St. Ponziano in Rome.

May 19,2012: Pope Benedict XVI, flanked by the Christian Workers Movement's President (R), is greeted by Mons. Francesco Rosso during an audience to three different ecclesial realities (FOCSIV - MEIC - MCL) in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

May 17,2012: Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht, takes possession of the title of St. Callist in Rome.

May 16,2012: Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by the Members of the Catholic Shalom Community as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

May 13,2012: Faithful waits in cold and rainy weather for Pope Benedict XVI's arrival at the Sanctuary of La Verna.

May 13,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (C), Mons. Giuseppe Betori (R) and Bishop Riccardo Fontana (L) during the pastoral visit in Sansepolcro.

May 13,2012: Pope Benedict XVI visits the cathedral accompanied by Bishop Riccardo Fontana during his pastoral visit in Arezzo.

May 11,2012: Riccardo Muti, left, conducts his orchestra during a concert offered by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano to celebrate Pope Benedict XVI's Pontificate at the Vatican.

May 9,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful as he arrives at St Peter's square for his weekly general audience at the Vatican.

May 5,2012: Swiss Guards attend a commemoration ceremony for the anniversary of the 1527 Sack of Rome, at the Vatican.

May 6,2012: Swearing-in ceremony of the Vatican's elite Swiss Guard at Paul VI hall in Vatican city.

May 6,2012: Members of the Swiss Guards corps attend a mass at the Vatican.
 

May 5,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (R) greets Albania's President Bamir Topi during a private audience at the Vatican.

May 4,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets on the left, David Cooney, Dato' Ho May Yong, Viguen Tchitetchian, Naivakarurubalavu Solo Mara and Teshome Toga Chanaka during a meeting at Clementine Hall in Vatican.

May 3,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves during a ceremony at the Catholic University of Sacro Cuore (Sacred Heart) at the Gemelli hospital in Rome.

May 2,2012: Pope Benedict XVI blesses during his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Sq. at the Vatican.

April 29,2012: A priest receives the ordination from Pope Benedict XVI during an ordination mass at St Peter's Bas. at the Vatican.
 

April 29,2012: Beatification of Giuseppe Toniolo in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

April 26,2012: Cardinal Francis Coccopalmerio, President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, takes possession of the diaconate of St. Joseph of the Carpenters.

April 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Sq. at the Vatican.

April 22,2012: Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong, takes possession of Title Regina degli Apostoli church in Rome.

April 20,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly (L) at the end of a concert by The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, on the occasion of Pontiff's 85th birthday celebrations, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

April 18,2012: Pope Benedict XVI flanked by his personal secretary Mons. Georg Gaenswein, caresses a child the end of the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican.

April 17,2012: Rev.mo P. Ardura Bernard, O. Praem., President of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences speaks during the press conference of the International Study Conference on "Costantino il Grande. Alle radici dell'Europa" at the Vatican.

April 16, 2012: Children dressed in traditional Bavarian costumes dance for Pope Benedict XVI during the Pontiff's 85th birthday celebrations in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican.

April 11,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads the Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

April 10,2012: Card. Luis Aponte Martínez has died at the age of 89 years.

Luis Aponte Martínez (August 4, 1922 - April 10, 2012) was the only Puerto Rican ever to be elevated to a cardinal of the Catholic Church, and for 34 years was the Archbishop of San Juan.

April 9, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads Regina Coeli prayer in Castel Gandolfo.

April 8,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful after the Urbi and Orbi blessing at the end of the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

April 8,2012: Pope Benedict XVI, arrive at the altar to celebrate the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

April 7,2012: Pope Benedict XVI, holding a tall, lit, white candle, enters a hushed and darkened St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican.

April 6, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI holds a cross as he leads a Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession during Good Friday celebrations in front of the Colosseum in Rome.

April 6 2012: Pope Benedict XVI kneels in front of the cross as he leads the Good Friday Passion of the Lord Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

April 5,2012: Pope Benedict XVI washes the feet of an unidentified priest, during the Holy Thursday rite of the washing of feet, in St. John in Lateran Basilica in Rome.

April 5,2012: Pope Benedict XVI blows into blessed oil as he leads the Chrismal mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

April 4,2012: Pope Benedict XVI, flanked by his personal secretary Mons. Georg Gaenswein (R), leaves at the end of his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

April 2,2012: Pope Benedict XVI listens to an orchestra during an audience in Paul VI hall with young people from the Dioceses of Madrid who participated in World Youth Day last August.

April 1,2012: Pope Benedict XVI holds a palm during the Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Rome.

March 28,2012: People line a street in Havana as they wait for Pope Benedict XVI to pass in his popemobile.
 

March 28,2012: Pope Benedict XVI meets with Cuba's former President Fidel Castro at the apostolic nunciature in Havana.

March 28,2012: Pope Benedict XVI arrives to celebrate a mass at Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba.

March 27,2012: Pope Benedict XVI kneels in prayer at the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre in Cuba.

March 27,2012: Pope Benedict XVI and Cuba's President Raul Castro wave to the media during a photo opportunity outside the Palace of the Revolution in Havana.

March 27,2012: Pope Benedict XVI arrives at Jose Marti airport with Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega Jaramillo (R) in Havana.

March 26,2012: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates mass at the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square in Santiago de Cuba.

March 26,2012: Cuba's President Raul Castro greets Pope Benedict XVI at the airport in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

March 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (R) is presented with a sombrero, a traditional Mexican hat, in Leon.

March 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI prays in the Cathedral of Leon before the celebration of Vespers.

March 25,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile wearing a Mexican sombrero as he arrives to give a Mass in Bicentennial Park near Silao, Mexico.

March 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI speaks during a meeting with children, from the balcony of the State Government building "Casa del Conde Rul" in Guanajuato, Mexico.

March 24,2012: Mexican man stands next to a poster welcoming Pope Benedict XVI in downtown Leon.

March 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a Mass in Colegio de Miraflores in Leon, Mexico.

March 24,2012: Pope Benedict XVI, center, sits with Card. Tarcisio Bertone, Mons. Angelo Becciu and Mons. Georg Gaenswein in the yard of Colegio de Miraflores in Leon, Mexico.

March 23,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd gathered for his arrival at Guanajuato International Airport in Silao, Mexico, flanked by Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala.

March 23, 2012: Pope Benedict waves to reporters as leaves at the end of a news conference aboard his flight to Mexico.

March 23, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI uses a walking stick as he boards his plane to leave for his pastoral visit to Mexico and Cuba at Fiumicino International Airport in Rome.

January 25, 1998: JPII with fidel Castro at the end of Holy Mass celebrated in the Revolution Square "Jose Marti" La Habana, Cuba.

20 March 2012: Dr. Giusto Sciacchitano, Anti-Mafia Deputy Prosecutor, speaks during the press conference to present the "Court of the Gentiles" in Palermo: Culture of legality and multi-religious society (29-30 March 2012). In Rome at the Vatican press office.

17 March 2012: Death of Coptic Patriarch Shenouda III of Egypt.

March 14,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican.

March 11,2012: Archbishop of Cantebury Rowan Williams celebrates a mass at St Paul's within the wall , anglican episcopal in Rome.
 

March 10, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI arrives with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to celebrate the Vespers at San Gregorio al Celio Basilic in Rome.

March 9,2012: Cardinal José T. Sánchez, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy, was born on March 17, 1920 in Pandan, in the Philippines, died today aged 91.


 

March 7,2012: Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, Federal Minister of Finance (Germany), presented to Pope Benedict XVI the Stamp issued by the Governorate of Vatican City for 500 years "Sistine Madonna" by Raphael.

March 7,2012: Pope Benedict XVI waves during his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

 

March 4,2012: Pope Benedict XVI greets the children during a mass at the San Giovanni Battista de La Salle church in Rome.

Feb. 29,2012: Scott Carroll, ancient and medieval manuscripts expert and editor of The Green Collection, speaks duting the presentation of the exhibition Verbum Domini.

 

Feb. 26.2012: Cardinal Fernando Filoni takes possession of the Diaconate of Our Lady of Coromoto in St. John of God, Rome.

Feb. 22,2012: Don Giussani: go-ahead to the cause of beatification.

Feb. 23,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads a Lectio Divina during a meeting with the parish priests of Rome in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Feb. 22,2012: Pope Benedict XVI (L) receives ashes by Card. Josef Tomko during the mass for Ash Wednesday in Rome's Santa Sabina Church.

Feb. 20,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads a audience for 22 new Cardinals and their family in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Feb. 19,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads a consistory mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Feb. 18,2012: Card. Timothy Michael Dolan, during the during the courtesy visits at the Paul VI Hall.

Feb. 18,2012: Newly-elected Cardinal, Archbishop of Tamada, Santos Abril y Castello receives his biretta hat from Pope Benedict XVI during his elevation inside the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
 

Feb. 17,2012: Pope Benedict XVI arrives at the meeting with cardinals at the Vatican.
 

Feb. 16,2012: Pope Benedict XVI received in audience the participants in the Symposium of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) and the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, at the Vatican.

Feb. 15,2012: Pope Benedict XVI receives Baroness Sayeeda Hussain Warsi (representative of Premier David Cameron) at the Vatican during a meeting with the delegation of the Government of the United Kingdom visited the Vatican for the 30 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

Feb. 14,2012: Baroness Sayeeda Hussain Warsi speaks during a speech to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and the Diplomatic Corps to the Holy See on the theme "The role of religion in political debate and in international affairs" at the Vatican.

Feb. 14,2012: Baroness Sayeeda Hussain Warsi led a delegation of Ministers of the Government of the United Kingdom visited the Vatican.

Feb. 7,2012: Marie Collins, left, attends a penitential vigil in Rome's St. Ignatius Church, held for participants in the Vatican-backed symposium on clerical sex abuse.

Feb. 03,2012: A nun walks on St Peter's square covered by snow in front of St Peter's Basilica.

Feb. 03,2012: Pope Benedict XVI looks at heavy snowfall in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican
 

Feb. 03,2012: Tourists walk as it snows in Saint Peter's Square at theVatican.
 

Cardinal Bevilacqua, who led the Archdiocese of Phil adelphia from February 1988 to October 2003, died Jan. 31 2012 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. He was 88.

Jan. 30,2012: The coffin with the body of former Italian President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro is carried during a funeral ceremony in downtown Rome.

Jan. 29,2012: Pope Benedict XVI looks on next to a young member of "Azione Cattolica" (Catholic Action movement) as he releases a dove from a window of his private apartments as he leads the Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Jan. 21,2012: Pope Benedict XVI blesses a lamb to mark the feast of Saint Agnes at the Vatican.

Jan. 21,2012: Pope Benedict XVI during an audience to mark the start of the judiciary year of the Sacra Rota at the Vatican.

Jan. 20,2012: Pope Benedict XVI gives a cross to a priest during a special audience with members of the Neocatechumenal Way in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

January the 14th, 2012 - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti meets Pope Benedict XVI at his private library.

Jan. 12,2012: The Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience The Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno, for the traditional exchange of greetings for the new year.

Jan. 9,2012: Pope Benedict XVI during an audience with the diplomatic corps at the Vatican.

Jan. 8,2012: Pope Benedict XVI leads a mass in which he baptised 16 newborns in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.

Jan 5,2011: Monsignor Manuel Monteiro de Castro was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, Major Penitentiary of the Vatican.
 

Jan. 01,2012: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Dec. 31,2011: Pope Benedict XVI visits the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Dec. 31,2011: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the First Vespers and Te Deum prayers in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Dec. 25,2011: Pope Benedict XVI delivers the Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) Christmas Day message from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Dec. 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads the Christmas mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Dec. 22,2011: Card. Raffaele Farina kisses the hand of Pope Benedict XVI, during the exchanges Christmas greeting with cardinals and prelates,in the Clementine Hall, at the Vatican.

Dec. 18,2011: Died on Tuesday aged 75, Vaclav Havel.
In the picture, May. 1995: President Havel welcomes John Paul II airport in Prague during the visit to the Czech republic.

Dec. 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI listens to a speech by Italian Justice Minister Paola Severino during a pastoral visit to Rome's Rebibbia prison.
 

December 5,2011: Workers erect a Christmas tree, more than 30 metres high, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The tree came from the forests in west Ukraine this year.

November 30, 2011: 26th open session of the Pontifical Academies. Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academies Prize winner: Fr. Carmelo Pappalardo OFM.

Nov. 30,2011: Mons. Antonio Maria Vegliň poses during the Third World Congress of the Pastoral Care of International Students in Rome.

Nov. 30,2011: Pope Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI walks in front of the image of the Holy Curé of Ars during his weekly audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Nov. 28, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads a special audience he granted to members of the "Sister Nature" foundation, in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Nov. 28,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a visit at the Vatican.
 

Nov. 26, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful after attending a concert of the Asturias Principality Symphony Orchestra directed by Chilean conductor Maximiano Valdes in Paul XVI hall at the Vatican.

Nov. 25,2011:Card. Angelo Bagnasco (L), Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest (C) and Archbishop Jozef Michalik of Przemysl of the Latins (R) during a press conference of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, in Rome.

Nov. 25,2011: Card. Ennio Antonelli speaks during the press conference for the presentation of the Plenary Assembly (29 November - 1 December 2011) of the Pontifical Council for the Family on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of Familiaris Consortio two.

Nov. 24,2011: Card. Gianfranco Ravasi speaks during the press conference to present the exhibition "Gaudí and the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona. Art, science and spirituality" (Vatican City, the Braccio di Carlo Magno, 24 November 2011 - January 15, 2012).

Nov. 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead a special audience with members of Italian Caritas in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Nov. 24,2011: Card. Angelo Bagnasco is greeted by Msgr. Giuseppe Merisi, Bishop of Lodi, president of the Episcopal Commission for the service of charity and health and president of the Italian Caritas, during a mass for members of Italian Caritas in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Nov. 23,2011: Msgr. Vittorio Nozza, director of the Italian Caritas speaks during the 35 th National Conference of Diocesan Caritas, in Fiuggi.

Nov. 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his weekly audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.
 

Nov. 22,2011: Mons. Zygmunt Zimowski, speaks during the press conference of presentation of the XXVI International Conference organized by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers on "The pastoral care at the service of life in the light of the teaching of Blessed John Paul II.

Nov. 21, 2011: Msgr. Giuseppe Merisi, Bishop of Lodi, president of the Episcopal Commission for the service of charity and health and president of the Italian Caritas speaks with Msgr. Vittorio Nozza, director of the Italian Caritas during the 35 th National Conference of Diocesan Caritas, in Fiuggi.

Nov. 20,2011: Pope Benedict XVI blesses a woman wearing a dress made from fabric commemorating the Pope's visit, during Sunday Mass at the national stadium in Cotonou, Benin.

Nov. 19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI is surrounded by children as he arrives during his visit to foyer "Paix et Joie" at the St. Rita church in Cotonou during his pastoral visit in Benin.

Nov. 19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI signs an official document at the Basilica of Immaculate Conception in Ouidah.

Nov. 19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI and Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi attend a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Cotonou in Benin.

Nov. 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI prays inside the cathedral in Cotonou, Benin.

Nov. 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI stands with Benin President Thomas Yayi Boni during an arrival ceremony at Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport in Cotonou, Benin.

Nov. 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets the journalists aboard the airplane to Cotonou, Benin, Africa.

Nov. 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with the Italian Premier Mario Monti, right, after disembarking an Italian Air Force's helicopter to board a plane to Benin, at Fiumicino international airport, near Rome.

Nov. 18,2011:Pope Benedict XVI sits aboard a plane at Fiumicino airport in Rome.

Nov 16, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of his general Audience on St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Nov. 14, 2011: S. E. Mons. Enrico Dal Covolo,poses during the inauguration of accademic year at Pontifical Lateran University in Rome.

Nov. 12,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, at his private library, at the Vatican.

Nov. 12,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets the partecipants to International conference: Adult stem cells. Science and the future of man and culture, at the Vatican.

Nov. 11,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets the partecipants to congress "The Pope and the Catholic volunteers Europeans", during a audience at the Vatican.

Nov. 10,2011: Card. R. Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" speaks during the congress "The Pope and the Catholic volunteers Europeans", in Rome.

Nov. 10,2011: Chief Rabbi of Israel Yonah Metzger speaks during a press conference at the headquarters of Vatican Radio.

Nov. 10,2011: Pope Benedict XVI received in audience at the Vatican, a delegation of the Council of Religious Leaders of Israel

Nov. 9,2011: Card. Gianfranco Ravasi,(R) shakes the hand at Tommy G. Thompson during the first international Vatican adult stem cell conference in the new synod hall at the Vatican.

Nov. 9,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican.

Nov. 8,2011: On. Tommy G. Thompson speaks during the press conference of the International Conference "Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture", to be held in the Vatican, in the New Synod hall, from 9 to 11 November 2011.

Nov. 7,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets the new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Reinhard Schweppe at the Vatican.

November 4, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI presides over Vespers for the beginning of the Academic Year for Pontifical Universities in St.Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Nov. 3,2011: A woman kisses the hand of Pope Benedict XVI during a mass to commemorate cardinals and bishops who died in the past year, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Nov. 2,2011: Devotees of the Brotherhood of Jesus Crucified at Calvary and SS. Our Lady of Sorrows, the so-called "Sacconi Rossi," celebrate the commemoration of the dead in the Tiber Island in the basement.

Nov. 2,2011: Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of Pope John Paul's I tomb to commemorate the Day of the Dead at the Vatican.

Nov. 2,2011: Pope Benedict XVI blesses a girl during a weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Nov. 1, 2011: Visitors to the Verano cemetery in All Saints' Day.

November 1, 2011: A priest attends the prayer with Card. Agostino Vallini at the Verano Cementery in Rome for the feast of All Saints.

November 1, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the participants of All Saints's Race organized by Don Bosco nel Mondo Foundation.

Oct. 28,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (R) greets unidentified participants of the inter-religious meeting "Prayer for Peace" during a special audience in the Clementina hall at the Vatican.

Oct. 27,2011: Pope Benedict XVI prays with other religious leaders in front of the cript of Saint Francis at the end of the meeting 'Pilgrims of truth, pilgrims of peace ' a day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world at the Saint Francis Basilica in Assisi.

Oct. 27,2011: Pope Benedict XVI attends the "Prayer for Peace," a inter-religious meeting in the Italian pilgrimage town of Assisi.

Oct. 27,2011: Interreligious talks in Santa Maria degli Angeli's basilica (St Mary of the Angels) in Assisi.

Oct. 27,2011: His Grace dr Rowan Douglas Williams (C) and His All Holiness, Bartolomeo I (L), greet Pope Benedict XVI at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
 

Oct. 27,2011: Pope Benedict XVI is received by the local authorities upon his arrival to Assisi, central Italy, where he will attend a peace meeting with religious leaders from all over the world.

October 27, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI on board the train at the Vatican Railway Station, awaiting departure to Assisi where it will lead an inter-religious meeting.

Oct. 26,2011: Pope Benedict XVI looks on during a special prayer for inter-religious meeting that he will lead tomorrow in Assisi.

Oct. 25,2011: Mons. Antonio Maria Vegliň speaks during the press conference of the Message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the 98th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (15 January 2012) on the theme: "Migration and the new evangelization."
 

Oct. 24,2011: Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson speaks during the press conference of the Note of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: "To reform the international financial system from the perspective of a public authority to universal jurisdiction."

Rome, Oct 23, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads a mass for the canonization of Bonifacia Rodriguez De Castro of Spain, Guido Maria Conforti of Italy and Luigi Guanella of Italy in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Oct. 23,2011: A man holds a burned Bible as he stands on the top of the colonnade of St. Peter's square while Pope Benedict XVI leads a canonization mass at the Vatican.

Oct. 22,2011: Pope Benedict XVI attends a concert by the Bavarian State Orchestra in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

Oct. 22,2011: Card. Agostino Vallini leads a mass in memory of Blessed John Paul II, in the basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.

Oct. 21,2011:P. Bernard Ardura speaks during the press conference of the International Conference of studies "Virgo Digna coelo. Catherine and his legacy. In the 550th anniversary of the canonization of St. Catherine of Siena" (Rome, Siena, 27-29 October 2011).

Oct. 19,2011: Cardinal Pell makes his speech as Pope Benedict XVI attends during his visit at the official opening of Domus Australia in Rome.

Oct.19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter square at the Vatican.
 

Oct. 18,2011: False bomb scare in the San Pietro in Rome.In Via dei Corridori.

Oct. 18,2011: Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson speaks during the press conference of the World Day of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world "Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace" (Assisi, October 27, 2011).

Oct, 16,2011: Pope Benedict XVI stands on a mobile platform as he leaves St. Peter's Basilica at the end of a mass at the Vatican.

Oct. 15, 2011. National event organized by the movement Indignados - United for Global Change - against the economic policies of central banks and international governments.A destroyed Madonna destroyed by some protesters laying on the ground. In Rome.

Oct. 15,2011: Pope Benedict VI greets Mons. Rino Fisichella during a meeting on the "New Evangelization" in the Paul IV hall at the Vatican.

Oct. 14,2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni, during an audience with the prefects of Italy in the Vatican.

Oct. 13,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets Honduras President Porfirio Lobo Sosa, at the Vatican.

Oct. 12,2011: Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby at the end of his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Oct. 9,2011: Pope Benedict XVI reads his message during his visit at the monastery of "La Certosa", in Serra San Bruno.
 

Oct. 9,2011: Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful at the end of a mass in Lamezia Terme, Italy.
 

Oct. 7,2011: Card. Robert Sarah speaks during the press conference by the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, along with some major charitable organizations, on the situation and the Church's intervention in the Horn of Africa.

Oct. 5,2011: Card. Angelo Bagnasco during the presentation of the second report-care proposal by the Committee for the Cultural Project of the CEI, entitled: "Demographic Change. Report-proposal on the future of Italy ". In Rome.

Oct. 5,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Oct. 1,2011: Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by Cardinal Angelo Sodano as his arrives by helicopter at the Vatican heliport, from the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo.
 

Oct. 1,2011: Don Roberto Zammerini Rector of the Pontifical Roman Seminary Minor poses for a photo in his studio.

September 29, 2011: Top officials of the Vatican's gendarmes corps during their feast in Vatican.

Sept. 29,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets with His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, during an audience in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

Sept. 28,2011: Cardinal Domenico Bartolucci kiss the cross during the taking possession of the Church, Holy Jesus and Maria in Via Lata in Rome.

Sept. 28,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Sept. 27,2011: Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco speaks during a meeting organized by the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See "The Church, the State, the Regions and the Unification of Italy."

Sept. 25,2011: Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi delivers the St. Charles Pastoral to Card. Angelo in the day of his solemn entry into the diocese of Milan.

Sept. 25, 2011: Dorothee Mack pastor of the Waldensian Church of Milan during the Sunday worship.

Sept. 25, 2011: Giuseppe Platone pastor of the Waldensian Church of Milan.

September 25, 2011: A member of the Waldensian church, signing a living will, at the public forum of the Waldensian Church in Milan.

Sept. 25,2011: Pope Benedict XVI incenses the altar during a mass in Freiburg, southwestern Germany.

Sep. 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads a Vigil prayer at the fairground in Freiburg, southern Germany.
 

Sept. 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (2nd L) walks with Arch Bishop Robert Zollitsch as they visit Freiburger Cathedral (Freiburg Minster) in the south-western German town of Freiburg.

Sep. 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass in Erfurt, Germany.
 

Sept. 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI holds the monstrance as he celebrates a Marian vesper ceremony in Etzelsbach.

Sep. 23,2011: The Chairman of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) Nikolaus Schneider (L) walks to the cloister with Pope Benedict XVI in the Augustinian Monestry (Augustinierkloster) in Erfurt.

Sep. 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass in  the Olympic stadium in Berlin.

Sep. 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting with the Jewish community in the Reichstag in Berlin.
 

Sep. 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI gives a speech to the German Bundestag, the lower house of parliament in Berlin.

September 22,2011: Pope Benedict XVI, German President Christian Wulff and his wife Bettina inspect the guard of honour during a ceremony at Bellevue Palace in Berlin.
 

September 22,2011: Pope Benedict XVI, talks with the media on board an airplane as it flies over Germany on his way to Berlin.

September 19,2011: A faithful kisses the ampulla with the liquified blood of San Gennaro in the cathedral of Naples.
 

September 19,2011: The archbishop of Naples Crescenzio Sepe shows the ampulla with the liquified blood of San Gennaro in the cathedral of Naples.

September 18,2011: The lighting of the lamp during the beginning of the votive rites for the solemn feast of San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples and Campania, in the Cathedral of Naples.

September 18, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo to lead the Angelus prayer.

September 15,2011:Tour buses with the Rome diocesan tour agency, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, move through the Vatican Gardens during a tour for media.

September 14,2011: Pope Benedict XVI, center, is flanked by Archbishop James Harvey, right, and his personal secretary Georg Gaenswein, upon his arrival at Paul VI hall for his weekly general audience, at the Vatican.

September 13.2011: Mgr. Vittorio Nozza, president of the Italian Caritas, is photographed at the headquarters of Caritas of Rome, before the start of the round table "The action of Caritas in a fragmented world" (compared to the average Catholic), Rome.

September 11,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to meet a group of young couples at Plebiscito square in Ancona.

September 11,2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets Mons. Edoardo Menichelli bishop of Ancona-Osimo during a Holy Mass in Ancona's shipyard, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

September 6,2011: Father Antonio Spadaro is the new director of "Civiltŕ Cattolica",Roma.

Sept. 7,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets Michael Spindelegger, Austrian Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of the Austrian Federal Government, during a private audience at the Vatican.

Sept. 7,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

September 6, 2011: Card. Angelo Sodano celebrates the funeral Mass of card. Andrzej Maria Deskur, a close friend of the late pope John Paul II and former president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, at the altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

September 6, 2011: Demonstrators march during a general strike in Rome.

Sept. 4,2011: Polish cardinal Andrzej Maria Deskur, a close friend of the late pope John Paul II and former president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, died at the age of 87.

September 4, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims from the balcony of his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo after the Angelus prayer.

September 3, 2011: Briefing with Father F. Lombardi on the response to Mr Eamon Gilmore, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Irland, concerning the Cloyne Report, Holy See Press Office.

Aug. 31, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during the weekly general audience at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

August 27, 2011: Card. Christoph Schoenborn (second on right) leaves the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo after first the session of the Schuelerkreis meeting.

Aug. 28, 2011: S.E.R. Card. Angel Comasti and the mayor of the city of L'Aquila, pray at the door you just opened the Holy Door at the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.

August 28, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims as he apears on the balcony of his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo before the Angelus prayer.

Aug. 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead the weekly general audience at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, in southern Rome.

Aug. 21,2011: Brazilian pilgrims lift the World Youth Day cross after Pope Benedict XVI announced Brazil will hold the next World Youth Day after celebrating a holy mass at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome as part of World Youth Day festivities in Madrid.

Aug. 21,2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads a mass at the Cuatro Vientos aerodrome as part of World Youth Day festivities in Madrid.

Aug. 21,2011: Faithfuls attend a Mass with Pope Benedict XVI at the Cuatro Vientos airbase in Madrid.
 

Aug. 20,2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads a vigil prayer at the Cuatro Vientos airport during the Catholic Church's World Youth Day celebrations, in Madrid.

Aug. 20,2011: Pope Benedict XVI, celebrates a mass inside St. Maria la Real de la Almudena Cathedral in Madrid.

Aug. 19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI prays during the World Youth Day Way of the Cross in Plaza de Cibeles in central Madrid.

August 19.2011: Pope Benedict XVI confesses young people to the Jardines del Buen Retiro in Madrid.

Aug. 19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI is cheered as he arrives at the monastery of El Escorial in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
 

Young participants to the WYD 2011 watch the welcome ceremony for BXVI , Plaza Cibeles, Madrid, Spain.

Aug. 19, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets with children at the nunciature in Madrid.

2011 August 18th : Welcome ceremony for BXVI with the youths from WYD 2011, Plaza Cibeles, Madrid, Spain.

Aug. 18,2011:Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid walk with pilgrims from five continents through the Puerta de Alaca during the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony in central Madrid.

Aug. 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI walks next to King Juan Carlos, right, and Queen Sofia of Spain as he arrives at the airport in Madrid, Spain.

August 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets journalists aboard the airplane to Madrid.

August 18, 2011 : Pope Benedict XVI as he boards the plane for his flight to Spain from Rome's Ciampino airport.

August 17, 2011: about 8000 protestors took to the streets of Madrid to protest the cost of the World Youth Days for the State, Madrid, Spain.

August 2011: World Youth Day, Spain.

August 17, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead the weekly general audience at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, in southern Rome.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during the Assumption Festival at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, August 15, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during the Angelus prayer at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses during the weekly audience at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, August 10, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by faithful during the Angelus prayer from the courtyard of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011.

August 5,2011: Cardinal Bernard Francis Law, celebrated the Mass, where according to legend, Aug. 5 year 352 a heap of fresh snow was found on top of the Esquiline Hill, just as it was announced last night by an apparition of Our Lady .

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful at the end of his general audience in the main square of Castelgandolfo, his summer residence in the hills overlooking Rome, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2011
 

Bavarian folk dance group Goaslschnalzer perform in front of Pope Benedict XVI during a special audience at the Pope's summer residence in Castelgandolfo July 30, 2011.
 

July 31, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims from the balcony of his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo during the Angelus prayer

July 26,2011: Cardinal Angelo Comastri celebrates a Mass in the parish of Santa Anna in Vaticano.

July 26,2011: Cardinal Angelo Sodano celebrated the funeral of Cardinal Virgilio Noe at the altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

July 24, 2011: Cardinal Virgilio Noč, Emeritus Archpriest of the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica, Vicar General Emeritus of His Holiness for Vatican City, died in Rome at the age of 89 years.

July 24, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims from the balcony of his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo during the Angelus prayer.

July 21, 2011: He died this morning in Belarus, Cardinal Kazimierz Swiatek, Archbishop Emeritus of Minsk-Mohilev of Latin.

July 20, 2011: A young man confesses during a prayer celebrated by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, with the youth of the Diocese of Rome attending the World Youth Day in Madrid. Basillica of San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome.

July 19, 2011: Don Luigi Ciotti, founder of Libera, during the event Organized by the Capital City of Rome, against all mafias. Rome.

July 18,2011: Pope Benedict XVI receives a gift from Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak during a meeting at the Pope's summer residence in Castelgandolfo.

July 17,2011: Faithful wave as Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead the Angelus prayer at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, in the outskirts of Rome.

July 13,2011: Sister Maria Elvira De Witt poses during a meeting in Rome.
Sister De Witt, a former opera singer, has a blog which opened in 2003, where he chats with a lot of girls and convinces her to enter a convent.

July 10, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI greets the pilgrims from the balcony of his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo before the Angelus prayer.
 

Mons. Benedetto Tuzia, celebrating holy mass and processions in honor of Madonna del Carmine in the church Santa Maria del Carmelo in Traspontina with Venerable Confraternity of the Scapular of St. Mary of Mount Caramel in Traspontina founded in 1527 in Rome. Rome 10 july 2011

July 7,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives at his summer residence in Castelgandolfo in southern Rome.

July 6,2011: Pope Benedict XVI, second from left, visits the exhibition dedicated to late Pope John Paul II, at the Vatican.

July 5,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves after visiting the Osservatore Romano newspaper office in Vatican.

July 5,2011:Umberto Broccoli speaks during the press conference to present the exhibition "Lux Arcana" - The Vatican Secret Archives is revealed (Capitoline Museums, February 2012).

July 4,2011: Pope Benedict XVI talk with the artist Oliviero Rainaldi during the exhibition "The splendor of truth, the beauty of love - Artists' Tribute to Pope Benedict XVI for the 60 th of the Priesthood".

July 2,2011: Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead a special audience for faithful coming from Altamura diocese, south of Italy, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

June 30,2011: Rubén Salazar Gomez Archbishop of Bogotŕ (Colombia) greets Pope Benedict XVI during a special audience in the Paul Vi Hall at the Vatican.

June 30,2011: Pope Benedict XVI gives the "Ratzinger Prize" to Maximilian Heim during a ceremony in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican.

June 29,2011: Faithful from Bavaria, assist the Angelus prayer, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's square at the Vatican.

June 29,2011: Pope Benedict XVI gives Pallium to Gerard Cyprien Lacroix Archbishop of Québec City (Canada) during a solemn mass to celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

June 28, 2011:Card. Antonio María Rouco Varela speaks during the press conference of presentation of the XXVI World Youth Day (Madrid, 16 to 21 August 2011).

June 27, 2011: Jose Graziano da Silva of Brazil, the newly appointed director-general of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), speaks during a meeting at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

June 25,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (C) is greeted by Matthew Festing (centre, L), Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, and his delegation during a private audience at the Vatican.

June 24,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (R) shakes hand with Montenegro's Prime Minister Igor Luksic during a private audience at the Vatican.

June 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI holds the Corpus Christi relic, as he leads the Corpus Christi procession on an open vehicle from St. John in Lateran Basilica to St. Mary Major Basilica, in Rome.

June 22,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads the weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

June 21,2011:Mons. Edoardo Menichelli speaks during the press conference of presentation of the Italian National Eucharistic Congress XXV (Ancona, 3-11 September 2011).

June 19,2011: Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by two Captain Regents (R), leaders of the Republic of San Marino, as he arrives at the "Public Palace" and Government House, during his one-day visit to San Marino state.

June 19, 2011: Mons. Luigi Negri Bishop of Serravalle gives a gift to Pope Benedict XVI during a mass at the Olympic stadium in Serravalle.
 

June 18,2011: Prayer vigil for the 60 years of ecclesiastical life of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square in Rome.

June 17,2011:Card. Gianfranco Ravasi speaks during the press conference to present the exhibition "The splendor of truth, the beauty of love - Artists' Tribute to Pope Benedict XVI for the 60 th of the Priesthood."

June 16, 2011:Father Tomasz Trafny speaks during the press conference of the International Conference on Adult Stem Cells: Science and the future of humanity and culture, organized by the Department "Science and Faith" of the Pontifical Council for Culture, at the Vatican.

June 15,2011: Pope Benedict XVI wears the "Saturno" hat at the end of his weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.

June 14, 2011: Father Federico Lombardi speaks during the press conference to present the "Ratzinger Award" established by the "Vatican Foundation Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict XVI".

June 13,2011: Pope Benedict XVI participates in a convention of the Parishes of Rome, at Rome's St. John Lateran's Basilica in Rome.

June 12, 2011: Mons. Pietro Santoro, Bishop of Avezzano celebrates a Mass at the Shrine of Divine Love dedicated to the Blessed "Ceferino" in the presence of a representative number of Gypsies in Europe.

June 12,2011: Pope Benedict XVI sprinkles holy water as he celebrates a Pentecost Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday.

June 11, 2011: Putting blessed Zeffirino Jimenez Malla relic, a piece of his rosary in a side altar during Pentecost prayer vigil in San Bartolomeo Basilica in Rome leads by Msgr. Antonio Maria Veglio, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.

June 11, 2011: The Pope Benedict XVI meets Ceija Stojka servived the concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen-Belsen.

June 9, 2011: Visiting with professor Fabrizio Bisconti newly renovated Aureli Ipogeo, the Aureli family tomb in Rome.

June 8,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (L) meets Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Unodc), at the Vatican.

June 8,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves at the end of his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter square at the Vatican.

June 5,2011: Pope Benedict XVI makes the sign of the cross as he leads a solemn mass in Zagreb.

June 4,2011: Pope Benedict XVI looks on during a meeting at the Croatian National theatre in Zagreb.
 

June 4, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI leads a prayer vigil in Zagreb.

June 4,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (L) and Croatian President Ivo Josipovic during a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Zagreb.
 

June 4,2011: Pope Benedict XVI as he arrives at Pleso International Airport in Zagreb.

June 4,2011: Pope Benedict XVI aboard the airplane heading to Zagreb, Croatia.

Pope Benedict XVI meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, during a private audience at the Vatican, Friday, June 3, 2011.

June 1,2011: Pope Benedict XVI(L) exchanges gifts with Australia's Governor General Quentin Bryce during a private audience in the Vatican.

June 1,2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI praying at the Lourdes Grotto in the vatican gardens at the end of the Marian month. Vatican City, May 31, 2011.

May 30, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI (L) poses with Norbert Lammert, president of the German Bundestag, at Vatican.

May 27,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets with the parties to the General Assembly of Caritas Internationalis 19.ma for the 60th anniversary of the founding. At the Vatican in Rome.

May 26,2011: Pope Benedict XVI prays during the rosary prayer at Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

May 25, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves during his Wednesday general audience in Saint Peter square at the Vatican.
 

May 24,2011: Card. Paolo Sardi takes possession of the diaconate of "Santa Maria Ausiliatrice", In Rome.
 

May 24,2011: Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, speaks during the press conference for the presentation of the document: "The family: the work and rest, " the preparatory catechesis VII World Meeting of Families (Milan, 30 May-3 June 2012), at the Vatican.

May 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI meets Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov during a private audience at the Vatican.

May 23,2011: Pope Benedict XVI (R) poses with Tsetska Tsacheva, President of the National Assembly of Bulgaria, during a private audience at the Vatican.

May 21, 2011: Pope Benedict XVI waves after addressing astronauts on the International Space Station via a video-link, at the Vatican.

May 21,2011: Pope Benedict XVI arrives for a meeting with members of the 'Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore', at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican.

May 21,2011: The 'Caritas Express' steam train makes its way as it leaves the Vatican on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Roman Catholic charity 'Caritas Internationalis'.

May 18,2011: Card. Agostino Vallini during the inauguration of the statue of Pope John Paul II in Piazza del Cinquecento "in front of Termini station in Rome.

Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of his Weekly General Audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican May 18, 2011.

May 14,2011:Guzman Carriquiry has been appointed Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
In this photo, Guzman Carriquiry during a meeting organized by the international Center of Communion and Liberation to Rome, 3 March 2010.

May 15,2011: Card Velasio De Paolis, president of the Prefecture for Economic Affairs of the Holy See, take possession of the Diakonia of the Good Shepherd to Montagnola in Rome.

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington takes possession of his titular church of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) Rome, May 8, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict blesses the faithful upon his arrival in St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Saturday, May 7, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI, meets new Vatican Swiss Guards and their families , in the Vatican's Clementina Hall, Friday, May 6, 2011.

Vatican Swiss Guards during a celebration of the 1527 Sack of Rome, in the courtyard of the headquarters of the Swiss Guards, at the Vatican, May 6, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI, center, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, left, and his wife Clio to attend a concert in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI passes a tapestry bearing the image of late Pope John Paul II as he leaves at the end of his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 4, 2011.

3 May 2011: Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz prays at the tomb of Blessed John Paul II in the chapel of St. Sebastian, St. Peter's Basilica.

The faithful pay respect to the coffin of the late Pope John Paul II inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 1, 2011.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone blesses the reliquary containing the blood of late Pope John Paul II as he celebrates a thanksgiving Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Monday, May 2, 2011.

A tapestry bearing a 1995 picture of late Pope John Paul II is unveiled during a solemn celebration led by Pope Benedict XVI, bottom, where he was beatified in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, May 1, 2011, in the fastest beatification in modern times.

30 April 2011: Faithful to the Circus Maximus in Rome, for a prayer vigil honoring Pope John Paul II on the eve of his beatification.

30 April 2011: Pilgrims gather in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, a day before late Pope John Paul II's beatification.

29 April 2011: Sister Beatrice from the Daughters of Charity shows the bloody undershirt worn by Pope John Paul during the assassination attempt on May, 13, 1981, in Rome.

April 30, 2011: Pilgrims arrive in St. Peter's Square for the beatification of Pope John Paul II.

30 April 2011: The preparation for the Sunday beatification of Pope John Paul II. Sanpietrini puting portrait of the new blessed.

28 April 2011: A nun looks the picture on the screen of Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
 

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Cracow (L) kisses the coffin of Pope John Paul II, exhumed ahead of his beatification, as Vatican State Secretary Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone looks on, in the Vatican April 29, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Easter Mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican April 24, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives holding a candle as he leads the Easter Vigil mass in Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican April 23, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession at the Colosseum in downtown Rome April 22, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Passion of the Christ Ceremony in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 22, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI during an interview with the conductor of "A sua Immagine", Rosario Carello. In the Vatican April 15, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI washes the foot of an unidentified priest, during the Holy Thursday rite of the washing of feet, in St. John in Lateran Basilica in Rome, Thursday, April 21, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Chrismal mass in Saint Peter's basilica at the Vatican April 21, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI during his weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican April 20, 2011
 

Pope Benedict XVI holds a palm as he leads the Palm Sunday mass at the Vatican April 17, 2011
 

Mons. Paolo De Nicolň, celebrates the Way of the Cross in the Flavian Amphitheatre (Colosseum) organized by the Circle of St. Peter. Rome April 15, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI (R) shakes hands with Latvian President Valdis Zatlers during a private audience at the Vatican April 14, 2011.

Press Conference of Youcat, aid to the Catechism of the Catholic Church for young people, prepared for participants of the XXVI World Youth Day (Madrid 16 to 21 August 2011).In rome April 13 2011.

Isabel Meuser (L), Bernhard Meuser (C) and Nikolaus Magnis (R) present to the Pope Benedict the book 'YouCat,' a youth-focused compilation of key church teachings, during his general audience in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

Press Conference "8xmille to the Catholic Church: the truth, the voices of the protagonists.In Rome April 12, 2011.
 

Card. Gianfranco Ravasi speaks during the press conference on "The Holy See, the guest of honor at the International Book Fair of Santo Domingo", at the vatican April 8, 2011.

Prof. David Ford poses during the meeting "Jews, Christians and Muslims as part of John Paul II Annual Conference on Interreligious Dialogue. Rome April 5, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by the faithful as he arrives for a general audience, in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 6, 2011.

Mons. Marco Frisina speaks during the press conference on preparations and plans for the ceremony of beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II, in Rome 5 April 2011.

Card Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop of Aparecida, takes possession of the title of the Immaculate of the Tiburtino, in Rome 3 April 2011.

Card. Mauro Piacenza, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, takes possession of the diaconate of St. Paul to the three fountains. Rome, April 3, 2011

Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil C.SS.R., the title of San Bernardo alle Terme, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabar (India) died this morning, April 1, 2011.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Schevchuk, new major archbishop of Kyiev-Halyc speaks during a meeting with journalist. In Rome 31 March 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI speaks to German Education Minister Annette Schavan during a private meeting at the Vatican in Vatican 30 March, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican March 30, 2011.

Mons. Liberio Andreatta, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi Vice-President presents "JPII PASS" during the technical and organizational press conference on beatification of John Paul II. In Rome 29 March 2011.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco speaks during the meeting of the Permanent Council of the Italian Bishops' Conference of bishops in Rome March 28, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI meets S.B. Chrysostomos II, Archbishop of New Giustiniana and All Cyprus, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, during a private audience at the Vatican. March 28, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI prays at the Fosse Ardeatine site in Rome, 27 March 2011.

Cardinal, Medardo Joseph Mazombwe takes possession of the title of S. Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza, Rome 26 March 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI smiles as he wears a working helmet bearing his name at the end of an audience with members of Terni's diocese in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican March 26, 2011.

Seminar on "The new evangelization: the vision and the role of the Catholic Church Syro-Malankara Major Archbishop, " in Rome at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas "Angelicum" 25 March 2011.

Card. Attilio Nicora (L) speaks with the Rector Giuseppe dalla Torre, during the inauguration of the academic year 2010-2011 of the Libera Universitŕ Maria Santissima Assunta, in Rome 24 March 2011.
 

Cardinal Roberto Tucci during the presentation of the book "fellow travelers. Interviews with John Paul II on the fly "(Libreria Editrice Vaticana), at the headquarters of Radio Vatican of the Palazzo Pio. Rome March 24, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI and Monsignor Georg Gaenswein smile during the weekly audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 23, 2011.

Immigrants just landed on the island of Lampedusa, September 2006.
 

Card. Zenon Grocholewski speaks during the press conference to present the decree to reform the ecclesiastical studies in philosophy. In Rome 22 March 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI burns incense as he celebrates a mass during his pastoral visit to St. Corbiniano Parish in Rome March 20, 2011.

Card. Gianfranco Ravasi speaks during the press conference presenting the initiative of the Pontifical Council for Culture called "Courtyard of the Gentiles" - Two days of meeting and dialogue between believers and nonbelievers in Paris (24-25 March 2011). In Rome, 18 March 2011.
 

Card. Tarcisio Bertone (L) and Card. Angelo Bagnsco during a parliament session in Rome, Thursday, March 17, 2011, to mark the 150 anniversary of Italy unification.

Mons. Enrico dal Covolo speaks during the presentation of the book by Msgr. Dario E. Viganň "Church and Advertising. History and analysis of the spots 8x1000 "in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University 16 March 2011.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (L) delivers Pope Benedict XVI's well wishes to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, as Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of its unification 16 March, 2011.

Cardinal Elio Sgreccia, takes possession of the Diaconia of S. Angelo in Pescheria, Rome 13 March 2011.

Card. Angelo Comastri during the presentation of the book "Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls - Faith and Sacred Space" (St. George Publishing House), at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See 10 March 2011.

Father Xavier d'Arodes, ecclesiastical adviser of the French Embassy to the Holy See speaks with Sr Agata Zielinski during the conference "De Ecclesia" at the Cultural Center S. Louis of France. Rome March 10, 2011.

Personal Secretary of Pope Georg Gaenswein show the new book during the presentation of Pope Benedict XVI's 'Jesus of Nazareth , Thursday, March 10, 2011.

Cardinal Josef Tomko (R) signs Pope Benedict XVI's forehead with a pinch of ash at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome March 9, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leafs through a copy of his new book 'Jesus of Nazareth - Holy Week: From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection' , at the Vatican 9 March 2011.

P. Fracois-Xavier Dumonrtier S.I., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, speaks during the presentation of the book "The Epistle to the Hebrews." A different priest" Rome 07 march 2011.

Cardinal Walter Brandmuller, takes possession of the Diaconia of S. Giuliano of Fiamminghi, Rome 6 March 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI greets seminarians during his annual visit of the Roman Major Seminary in Rome, Friday, March 4, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI (L) talks with Iceland's President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson during a private audience at the Vatican March 4, 2011.

Mons. Nikola Eterovic, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops (L), and Mons. Firtunato Frezza arrive at the press conference, Lineamenta of the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, at the Vatican 4 March 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI (R) is greeted by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera during a private audience at the Vatican March 3, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives to lead his Wednesday general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican March 2, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI, right, exchanges gifts with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek during a private audience in his studio at the Vatican, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

Mons. Slawomir Oder speaks during the press conference " The secret and essence of the holiness of John Paul II" in Rome 25 Feb 2011.

26 February 2011: Pope Benedict XVI receives the general assembly of the Pontifical Academy for Life in the Clementine hall at the Vatican.

Mons. Slawomir Oder speaks during the press conference " The secret and essence of the holiness of John Paul II" in Rome 25 Feb 2011.

Card. Angelo Bagnasco and Vincenzo Spadafora, during the presentation of the UNICEF report titled "The State of the World 2011 - Teenage - The time of opportunity. " Rome, 25 February 2011.

Prof. Carlo Nanni and S. Am Card. Angelo Bagnasco, during the conference "Educating for the good life of the Gospel by the Italian Bishops Pastoral Guidelines for the decade 2010-2020" in Rome 24 Feb. 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI meets with the President of Lebanon Michel Sleiman at his private library on February 24, 2011 in Vatican City, Vatican.

Mons. Vincenzo Paglia (R), speaks with Mons. Ghaleb Moussa Abdalla Bader, during the conference "Christians and Muslims for a Future Together" in Rome, 23 February, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI, during his weekly general audience, in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he arrives to bless a statue of St. Marone before his weekly general audience in the Vatican February 23, 2011.

Card. Llovera celebrates a mass for the 11th anniversary of the founding of the "Araldi del Vangelo" in the church of Saint Benedetto in Piscinula, in Rome 22 Feb. 2011.

Card. Robert Sarah speaks during the press Conference of the Holy Father's Message for Lent 2011, at the Vatican, 22 Feb. 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI held an Ordinary Public Consistory for the canonization of the Blessed: Guido Maria Conforti , Luigi Guanella, Bonifacia Rodríguez de Castro , at the Vatican 21 Feb 2011.

The University for Foreigners of Perugia has conferred the degree 'honorary' in international relations and development cooperation to Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, the Pope's personal secretary, in Perugia 15 Feb 2011.

From left, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano meet at the Italian Embassy to the Holy See on the occasion of the 1929 Patti Lateranensi anniversary, in Rome, Friday, Feb. 18, 2011.

Dott. Graziano Motta, author of "L'Anno Paolino", during the press conference for the presentation of the budget of the Pauline Year, at the vatican 17 Feb. 2011.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev meets Pope Benedict XVI during a private audience at the Vatican 17 Feb. 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges faithful during his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011.

Card. Albert Malcom Ranjith Patabendige Don, Archbishop of Colombo, takes possession of the title of San Lorenzo in Lucina in Rome February 13, 2011.

Card. Francesco Monterisi, archipriest of the Basilica of St. Paul outside the wall, takes possession of the Diakonia of "San Paolo alla Regola", in Rome 12 Feb 2011.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, during the taking possession of the Diakonia of Santa Maria in Aquiro in Rome February 11, 2011.

Card. Agostino Vallini celebrates the prayer vigil for rom children died in the fire on the "Via Appia" in Rome, 9 Feb 2011.
In this photo on the left card. Agostino Vallini, Elena Moldovan, mother, the father, and Marco Imapagliazzo President of the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Pope Benedict XVI, blesses a rosary during a weekly general audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011.

Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, takes possession of the Diakonia of Sant'Agata de 'Goti in Rome February 5, 2011.

Newly ordained bishop Monsignor Savio Hon Tai-Fai, a 60-year-old Salesian prelate from Hong Kong, receives a blessing by Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi celebrates a mass for the 43 years of the Community of Sant'Egidio. Rome Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls 3 Feb 2011.

S.E. Mons. Zygmunt Zimowski speaks during the press conference of presentation of the Message of Pope Benedict XVI to the XIX World Day of the Sick, in Rome 3 Feb. 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI, holds the ostensory during a Vespers prayer in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011.
 

A boy walks away after greeting the Pope Benedict XVI during a weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican February 2, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI reacts next two young members of "Azione Cattolica" (Catholic Action movement) as he releases a dove from a window of his private apartments as he leads the Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican January 30, 2011.

Taking possession of the basilica of St. John Bosco by Cardinal Robert Sarah, Guinea Conakry, president of "Cor Unum", In Rome 30 January 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI during a audience with the Join International commission for the theological dialogue between the Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox Churrches, at the vatican, 28 January 2011.

Conference of Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genova and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference on "The Christian roots of Europe ", organized by the Club of Rome at its head office in the Diaconal Palace of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, in Rome 27 January 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI gestures as he leads his weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican January 26, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI leads a Vespers mass at the basilica of Saint Paul Outside-The-Walls in Rome January 25, 2011.

Souvenir of Pope John Paul II in the shops near the Vatican. January 24, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI received in audience the President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany Bishop Johannes Friedrich, at the Vatican, 24 January 2011.

 

S.E. Mons. Claudio Maria Celli speaks during the press conference for the presentation of the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the 45th world communications day, at the Vatican, 24 January 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI poses during a meeting with Roman Rota members at the Vatican January 22, 2011.

Card. Gianfranco Ravasi takes possession of the Church of St. George in Velabro, Rome, 23 January 2011.

Mons. Armando Brambilla celebrates a mass during a visit of the "Madonna de Noantri" in the prison of regina Coeli in Rome, 23 January 2011.
 

Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, takes possession of the Church Santa Maria "Regina Pacis" in Ostia, Rome, 22 January 2011.

Cardinal Paolo Romeo, takes possession of the Church Santa Maria Odigitria dei Siciliani, Rome, 22 January 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses lambs to mark the feast of Saint Agnes at the Vatican January 21, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI leads a meeting with members of Neocatechumenal Way in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican January 17, 2011.

Opening ceremony of the judicial year at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011
 

Pope Benedict XVI has approved a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II's intercession and set May 1 as the date for the beloved pontiff to be beatified. Pope Benedict XVI declared in a decree Friday, Jan. 14, 2011
In this photo: February 22, 1992: John Paul II on the threshold of the house slaves to the island of Goree on his trip to Senegal, Africa.
 

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone,greets Haiti Ambassador to the Holy See Carl-Henri Guiteau during a memorial mass at St. Mary Major Basilica, in Rome, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, on the first anniversary of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his weekly general audience, in Paul IV hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI poses with Vatican-accredited diplomats at the Vatican January 10, 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI baptizes a baby in an intimate ceremony in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday that marked the end of the Christmas season, at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Epiphany mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican January 6, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI greets a child during a visit to the Rome Gemelli hospital, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011.

Doyen of the Pontifical gestatorial chair bearers opens the door during the weekly general audience, in Paul IV hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011.

Cardinal Kurt Koch,(President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity), takes possession of the Diaconia di Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore, Rome, 01 January 2011.
 

Pope Benedict XVI greets children dressed as the wise kings during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the traditional Crib in St Peter's square after leading the First Vespers and Te Deum prayers in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican December 31, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the First Vespers and Te Deum prayers in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican December 31, 2010
 

Pope Benedict XVI shakes the hands to Monsignor Robert Tyrala president of Pueri Cantores choir before leading his audience with the Pueri Cantores boys choir in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 30, 2010
 

Living Nativity of Matera, Italy 28 December 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges faithful as he arrives for a general audience in Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010.

 

Pope Benedict XVI (R) speaks with people in the Paolo VI hall in Vatican City, on 26 December 2010, during a lunch offered to poor people. Among the attendants of the luncheon also were nuns of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by famous late Mother Teresa in the year that saw the Missionary founder's 100th birthday.

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he delivers Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) Christmas Day message from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican December 25, 2010
 

Pope Benedict XVI kneels as he leads the Christmas mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican December 24, 2010
 

Pope Benedict XVI lead his weekly audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican December 22, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message during the traditional exchange of Christmas greetings to the Curia, in the Regia Hall, at the Vatican, December 20, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI, center, tours the Apostolic Library of the Vatican after its reopening following a three-year renovation, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.
 

The 30-metre-high Christmas tree, which came from the forest of south Tyrol, is officially lit during a ceremony in St. Peter's Square, in front of Basilica at the Vatican December 17, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Vespers prayer with students from the University of Rome in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican December 16, 2010.

Card. Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson speaks during the press Conference to present the Holy Father's Message for 44th World Day of Peace, in Rome 16 December 2010.
 

Andrea Tornielli poses during the presentation of his book "Benedict XVI, Pope of joy", limited edition of 500 pieces created by SystemaEuropa, in Rome 15 December 2010.

Acrobats of Italian circus Moira Orfei, Pellegrini Brothers , perform in front of Pope Benedict XVI during weekly general audience while a Christmas tree and a crib in the Paul VI hall at The Vatican on December 15, 2010

Children display a Nativity figure of baby Jesus for Pope Benedict XVI to bless as he appears at his studio's window, top, overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for the traditional Sunday's Angelus prayer, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI (L) is greeted during a pastoral visit to the Roman Parish of St. Maximilian Kolbe on December 12, 2010 in Rome.

Card. Gianfranco Ravasi poses during the "STOQ Lecture, entitled" The Origin of the Universe. What modern cosmology tells us about our place in the Universe " in Rome, 10 December 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI poses with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite during a private audience at the Vatican December 10, 2010.

Mons. Vincenzo Pelvi, Military Ordinariate Italy, blesses the statue of Virgo Loreto during a mass to celebrate the Virgo Loreto, in the year which marks the anniversary of his proclamation 90.mo universal patroness of aviation.St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican in Rome, December 10, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI prays in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary, on the occasion of the Immaculate Conception feast, in Rome Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd gathered below in Saint Peter's square during his Angelus blessing on the occasion of the feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Vatican December 8, 2010.
 

Roman fireman lays a garland of flowers on the Virgin Mary statue at the Spanish Steps in Rome, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2010.
 

Press conference to present the project of restoration of historical and cultural heritage of the Photographic L'Osservatore Romano, at the Vatican, in the foyer of the Paul VI Hall. 7 December 2010.

Sculptor Jo Harbort poses during the inauguration of his Nativity scene from Zwickau. In the Roman church of Santa Maria ad Martyres, the Pantheon. 5 December 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI (R) speaks to Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban during a private audience at The Vatican December 6, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI (R) receives a book by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), during a private audience at the Vatican December 4, 2010.
 

The former archbishop of Naples, Cardinal Michele Giordano, died on Friday night in December 2010 at the age of 80 years.
Cardinal Giordano is the Archbishop of Naples from 1987 to 2006.
 

A view of the Christmas tree taken in St. Peter's square at the Vatican on December 3, 2010. The 94-year-old tree donated from the village of Luson in the italian Alto Adige region is approximately 34 meters high.

Pope Benedict XVI greets a young man at the Vatican Dec. 1 who was injured when the Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad, Iraq, was attacked Oct. 31. The Italian foreign ministry arranged for 26 injured Iraqis, including three children, and 21 accompanyi ng family members to fly to Rome for treatment of their injuries soon after the incident.

Pope Benedict XVI attends his weekly audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican December 1, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Vespers prayer on the first Sunday of Advent in the St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican City, November 27, 2010.
 

Cardinal Camillo Ruini during the presentation of the foundation of the Vatican "Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI." At the Vatican press office in Rome. November 26, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI, deliver his eulogy at the funeral service of Cardinal Urbano Navarrete, inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, ,24 November, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his weekly audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican November 24, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI receives his new book "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church, and the Sign of the Times" from the writer, German Catholic journalist Peter Seewald, during a meeting at the Vatican November 23, 2010.

German author Peter Seewald holds his book interview with Pope Benedict XVI 'Light of World' at the end of the presentation at the Holy See Press Office on November 23, 2010
 

New cardinals talks before the start of a special audience led by Pope Benedict XVI in Paul VI hall at the Vatican November 22, 2010.

 

New cardinal Angelo Amato, receives the cardinalitial ring from Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's basilica. Vatican City, November 21, 2010.
 

Newly appointed cardinal José Manuel ESTEPA LLAURENS , poses during the courtesy visits at the Paul VI Hall. Vatican City, November 20, 2010.
 

Newly appointed cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi from Italy receives the biretta, red hat, from the pope Benedict XVI during a consistory in St. Peter's basilica. Vatican City, November 20, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI attends the opening ceremony of the concistory with a prayer's meeting at the Sinodo Hall. Vatican City, November 19, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI poses with Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams (L) during a private meeting at the Vatican November 18, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby as he leads his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican November 17, 2010.
 

Dr. Gildas Pelliet, President and Managing Director, Sony Italia speaks during the press conference on the theme: "New technologies for communications of the Holy See, at the launch of the new Director of the Vatican Television Center for mobile television broadcasts in High Definition.At the Vatican 16 Nov 2010.

Mons. Zygmunt Zimowski speaks during the press conference of the XXV International Conference sponsored and organized by the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care (for the Pastoral Care of Health) on the theme "For a just and humane care of health in the light of the Encyclical Caritas in veritate ". At the Vatican 15 Nov. 2010.

Brotherhood penitents attend Pope Benedict XVI's Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican November 14, 2010

Card. Tarcisio Bertone celebrates the Holy mass for the confraternities in St. Peter's square. Vatican City, November 14, 2010.
 

Mons. Nikola Eterovic speaks during the press conference of presentation Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Benedict XVI "Verbum Domini", In Rome 11 Nov. 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI is framed by two unidentified cardinals as he celebrates his weekly general audience, in Paul VI Hall, at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Santiago de Compostela, northern Spain, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010.

Cardinal Raffaele Farina, archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church with the painter Natalia Tsarkova pose for a portrait under her painting of the cardinal Farina during a first visit at the exhibition entitled "Knowing the Vatican Library. A History Open to the Future". The exhibition is to be held in the Charlemagne Wing off St. Peter's Square from 11 November 2010 to 31 January 2011. Vatican City, November 9, 2010.

Cardinal Raffaele Farina<<Selection in Document>>, archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church during the presentation press conference of the exhibition entitled "Knowing the Vatican Library. A History Open to the Future". The exhibition is to be held in the Charlemagne Wing of St. Peter's Square from 11 November 2010 to 31 January 2011. Rome, November 9, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI, burns incense on the main altar of Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain, during the consecration ceremony Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI (C) sits between Spain's King Juan Carlos (L) and Queen Sofia before a farewell ceremony at the Prat airport in Barcelona November 7, 2010.

A view of Obradoiro's square in front of Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, northern Spain, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 during a mass lead by Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI looks at a giant incense burner, the 'botafumeiro' during his visit in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, northern Spain, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by Prince Felipe, during a welcome ceremony in Santiago de Compostela's Lavacolla Airport, northern Spain, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI, during the flight from Rome to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI, arrives for a Mass to commemorate cardinals and bishops who died in the past year, in St.Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010.

Mons. Gerhard Ludwig Müller speaks during the press conference presentation of the plenary meeting of the Pontifical Council for Culture and of the XII volume of the Opera Omnia of Joseph Ratzinger. At the vatican 3 Nov. 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI,arrives at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican for his general audience, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010.

Manifestation of the Survivors Voice Inc, a non-profit foundation created for clergy abuse survivors near St. Peter's square. Rome, october 31, 2010.

People from the Italian catholic movement Azione Cattolica gathered in St. Peter's square waiting for the Pope Benedict XVI to lead an audience. Vatican City, October 30. 2010.

Mons. Enrico dal Covolo (L) speaks with Mons. Guido Marini (C) during the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the proclamation of the Dogma of the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rome, october 29, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI attends his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square. Vatican City, october 27, 2010.

S.E. Mons. Antonio Maria Vegliň during the presentation press conference of the message of the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the 97 world day of the migrant and the refugee. Rome, Holy See press office, october 26, 2010.

Imposed the death sentence by hanging the former deputy of Saddam Hussein, 26 Oct. 2010.
In this photo Pope JPII meets Tarek Aziz during a meeting at the Vatican. 12 Feb. 2003.

Pope Benedict XVI greets Seychelles' President James Michel during a meeting at the Vatican October 25, 2010.

 

Bishops attend a mass lead by Pope Benedict XVI marking the conclusion of the synod of bishops from the Middle East in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican October 24, 2010.

Patriarch of Alexandria Antonios Naguib speaks during the presentation press conference of the message and conclusion of the special assembly for middle east bishops. Rome, october 23, 2010.
 

Pope Benedict XVI, during the last day of the synod of bishops from the Middle East, at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010

Patriarch of Alexandria Antonios Naguib receive congratulations from the pope for his recent promotion to cardinal during the synod for Middle east bishops. Rome, October 21, 2010.
 

24 new cardinals named by Pope Benedict XVI during the general audience in St Peter's Square. 20 Oct. 2010

24 new cardinals named by Pope Benedict XVI 20 Oct. 2010

S.B. Ignace Youssif III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch speaks with S.B. Fouad Twal during a conference on "Middle East. Christian witness for peace "in Rome (Protomoteca Hall in the Campidoglio). 19 Oct. 2010

Dino Boffo, the former director of "Avvenire", will be the new director of the CEI television network, TV 2000.18 Oct. 2010
 

Rev.do P. Pierbattista Pizzaballa speaks during the presentation press conference of the "Report after the debate" (Relatio post disceptationem) by the Special Assembly for the Middle East of the Synod of Bishops. Rome, october 18, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI and S.E. Mons. Nikola Eterovic, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, during the synod for Middle east bishops. Rome, October 18 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the canonisation of six new saints in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican October 17, 2010.

The german conductor Enoch zu Guttenberg directs the “Chorgemeinschaft Neubeuern” choir and the “Die Klang Vherwaultung” orchestr in honour of the pope Benedict XVI. Paul VI Audience Haul, Vatican City, october 16, 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI meets Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski during a private audience at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI (L) shakes hands with Seyed Mostafa Mohaghegh Ahmadabadi, a professor from the Faculty of Law at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, during the synod for the Middle East bishops at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican October 14, 2010.

S.B. Ignace Youssif III Younan, Patriarch of Antioch, arrives at the synod for Middle east bishops. Rome, October 14 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he leaves after his Wednesday general audience at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican October 13, 2010

Monsignor Cesare Nosiglia,became the new archbishop of Turin. In this photo Mos. Nosiglia in Vicenza 31 march 2008.

Msgr. Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of New Evangelization, held a briefing for the submission of the Apostolic Letter "Motu proprio" Ubicumque et semper. In Rome, 12 Oct. 2010.

Card. Bechara Rai and S.B. Antonios Naguib speak at the press conference held at the end of the first day of the synod for Middle east bishops. Rome, october 11, 2010

Pope Benedict XVI speaks during the opening of the Synod of bishops from the Middle Eastern region at the Vatican, 11 Oct. 2010.

Bishops attend a mass, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, marking the opening of the Synod of bishops from the Middle Eastern region in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican October 10, 2010

A moment of the episcopal ordination of Msgr. Giorgio Lingua by the secretary of the state Card. Tarcisio Bertone in St. Peter's Basilica. Vatican city, october 9. 2010.

Pope Benedict XVI, meets Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, on the occasion of their meeting at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Card. Jean-Louis Tauran visit Saint Peter's Basilica-Vatican 8 October 2010

French President Nicolas Sarkozy talks to Pope Benedict XVI during a private audience at the Vatican, Friday, Oct. 8, 2010.