APRIL 1-30, 2005

April 2005 was a month of transition and reflection for the Roman Catholic Church, marking the passing of Pope John Paul II and the ascension of Pope Benedict XVI. Along with these changes in leadership came worldwide discussion about the direction of church doctrine and practice in the new century.

During the month, ReligionLink offered roundups of daily headlines, frequent coverage tips and lists of sources and resources. The special homepage for that coverage is archived here.

Jump to:
• Today's news stories
• ReligionLink tips
• Online resources
• Archives of daily news headlines

ReligionLink tips
• The reign of Pope John Paul II
• A handbook on John Paul II and electoral politics at the Vatican

Special ReligionLink tips
Bringing Rome Back Home: The biggest religion story of the year is unfolding 24/7 - only it is thousands of miles away from North American newsrooms. Many religion writers are in Rome elbowing their way through the media circus, while others are manning the desk back home, looking for ways to localize a story that will go on for weeks, but often with precious few local angles beyond the usual reaction pieces. Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing.

Online resources

CATHOLIC SITES
• Vatican
    Official site for the Holy See
• The Holy Father - John Paul II
    Vatican biography page
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
    Washington, D.C.

Papal Transition: A Backgrounder A Brief Transition Backgrounder The College of Cardinals: A Backgrounder Members of the College of Cardinals The Cardinal Electors Biographies of the U.S. Cardinals Interview sources from the Bishop's Conference

• Church in Transition
    National Catholic Reporter
• Catholic News Service
    English-language religious news service
• Who is Benedict XVI?
    Commonweal

OTHER RELIGIOUS SITES
• Union for Reform Judaism
    Jewish perspective on the Pope's life

MEDIA SITES
• Front pages announcing the Pope's death
    Archived by the Newseum
• Pope John Paul II Resources
    David Shedden, Library Director, Poynter Institute (poynter.org)
• Religion News Service Papal Coverage
    By subscription only
• Pope Benedict XVI on the Church's Role in Public Life
    Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
• Ann Rodgers on covering the Vatican
    RNA blog archives
• Ann Rodgers on covering Catholic issues
    RNA blog archives

INTERNET
• pubsub.com
    Blog monitor
• Wikipedia
    Entries on the papacy

SPECIAL SECTIONS AND ONLINE PACKAGES

Archives of daily news headlines

Archived links are provided for reference only and are not maintained.

APRIL 30, 2005
VATICAN DAYBOOK
• Pope Benedict Moves Into Papal Apartments
    Reuters (4/30/05: news.yahoo.com)
• Pope talks of Europe in address to faithful
    Ian Fisher/New York Times (4/28/05: Chicago Tribune)
• Pope sets own tone for audience
    Victor L. Simpson/Associated Press (4/28/05: boston.com)
• Pope to make first trip for eucharistic congress in southern Italy
    AFP (4/29/05: news.yahoo.com)

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• Vatican's No. 2 official is named dean of the College of Cardinals
    Associated Press (4/29/05: USA Today)

DIPLOMACY AND OUTREACH
• New pope more popular in Poland than native land, may offer balm for German-Polish relations
    Monika Scislowska/Associated Press (4/29/05: nctimes.com)

THE SUCCESSION
• Cardinal Sees Wait for Third World Pope
    Associated Press (4/29/05: news.yahoo.com)

POPE BENEDICT XVI: BIOGRAPHY
• Pope explains Christian roots in choice of name
    Ian Fisher/New York Times (4/29/05)
• Brother says Pope is forgetful
    Reuters (4/25/05: news.yahoo.com)

PUBLIC REACTION
• Critics heap abuse on Benedict XVI
    Uwe Siemon-Netto/Washington Times (4/30/05)

APRIL 29, 2005
VATICAN DAYBOOK
• Pope will make his first pilgrimage in Italy in May
    Associated Press (4/29/05: USA Today)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• Up From the Underground: Despite Official Scrutiny, China's Catholics Have Made Gains
    Philip P. Pan/Washington Post (4/29/05)

APRIL 28, 2005
VATICAN DAYBOOK
• Pope, Reviving Weekly Audience, Stresses Europe's Christian Roots
    Ian Fisher/New York Times (4/28/05)

DIPLOMACY AND OUTREACH
• Priest at Vatican Is Called a Spy
    Monika Scislowska/Associated Press (4/28/05: Washington Post)
• Vatican orders alleged spying monk out
    UPI (4/28/05: Washington Times)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• UN Official Hopes New Pope Will Ease Condom Stance
    (4/28/05: news.yahoo.com)
• Women expect little change on core issues
    Lisa Anderson/Chicago Tribune (4/28/05)
• Defender Of The Faith
    Jay Tolson/U.S. News & World Report (5/2/05)
• The New Shepherd
    Nancy Gibbs/TIME (5/2/05)
• The Vision of Benedict XVI
    Christopher Dickey and Melinda Henneberger/Newsweek (5/2/05)

PUBLIC REACTION
• Doomsayers say Pope Benedict fits world end prophecy
    Phil Stewart /Reuters (4/28/05: news.yahoo.com)

APRIL 27, 2005
VATICAN DAYBOOK
• Pope promises focus on reconciliation, peace
    Victor L. Simpson/Associated Press (4/27/05: Chicago Sun-Times)

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• Pope could need a bigger collection plate
    Rachel Sanderson/Reuters (4/27/05)

LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOHN PAUL II
• Eye looks to ordain pope mini
    Hollywood Reporter (4/27/05)

APRIL 26, 2005
POPE BENEDICT XVI
Benedict flashes sense of humor
Nicole Winfield/Associated Press (4/26/05)
Pope's homeland a place apart from Germany
Matt Surman/Associated Press (4/26/05: boston.com)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
Crossing Cardinal Nein
Alessandra Stanley/New York Times (4/26/05)

APRIL 25, 2005
DIPLOMACY AND OUTREACH
• The Path Ahead
    Tracy Wilkinson/Los Angeles Times (4/25/05)
• Pope meets with Muslims
    Associated Press (4/25/05: USA Today)
• Russia Church Urges Resolve With Catholics
    Associated Press (4/25/05: Las Vegas Sun)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• Decisions on gays, discipline will signal pope's direction
    Victor L. Simpson/Associated Press (4/25/05: Chicago Sun-Times)

INSTALLATION
• Benedict XVI celebrates Mass before 350,000 at his investiture
    Ann Rodgers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/25/05)
• Benedict XVI Is Installed as 265th Pope at Outdoor Mass
    Ian Fisher And Laurie Goodstein/New York Times (4/25/05)
• Pope decries 'deserts' of spirituality
    John Phillips/Washington Times (4/25/05)
• 'Pray for me,' pope asks the faithful
    Steve Kloehn and Manya A. Brachear/Chicago Tribune (4/25/05)
• Benedict: God rules, I'll follow
    Patricia Montemurri And Ken Dilanian/Detroit Free Press (4/25/05)
• Pope Issues Call for Unity
    Tracy Wilkinson and Richard Boudreaux/Los Angeles Times (4/25/05)
• Benedict reaches out to faithful, skeptical
    Sandi Dolbee/San Diego Union-Tribune (4/25/05)
• Pope Benedict prayed not to be elected
    CNN (4/25/05)

POPE BENEDICT XVI: BIOGRAPHY
• Pope's family saw Hitler as enemy
    Christine Spolar/Chicago Tribune (4/25/05)

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• Will U.S. Catholics keep giving?
    Steve Johnson/MSNBC (4/25/05)

PUBLIC REACTION
• U.S. Catholics Approve of Pope Benedict XVI
    Richard Morin and Claudia Deane/Washington Post (4/25/05)
• Poll: American Catholics Support New Pope
    ABC (4/25/05)
• In Seminary Halls, All Eyes Are on the Newest Pontiff
    Monica Davey/New York Times (4/25/05)
• Wuerl says be patient on pope
    Karen Kane/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/25/05)
• Chicago Catholics hear of pope's clarity, warmth
    Gary Wisby/Chicago Sun-Times (4/25/05)
• Mass welcomes pope
    Joe Bauman/Deseret Morning News (4/25/05)

APRIL 24, 2005
INSTALLATION
• Benedict XVI formally installed as pontiff
    Nicole Winfield/Associated Press (4/24/05: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• At Installation Mass, New Pope Strikes a Tone of Openness
    Ian Fisher and Laurie Goodstein/New York Times (4/24/05)
• Mass Held to Install Pope Benedict XVI
    Daniel Williams/Washington Post (4/24/05)
• Benedict XVI installed as pope
    CNN (4/24/05)
• Mass Marks Pope's New Start
    CBS/AP (4/24/05)
• Text Of Pope Benedict's Homily
    local6.com (4/24/05)
• Inaugural Mass gives Benedict chance to redefine himself
    Ann Rodgers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/24/05)
• Thousands gather for Benedict's inauguration
    Tara Dooley/Houston Chronicle (4/24/05)
• Rome freshens up for pope's installation
    Gayle White/Atlanta Journal-Constitution (4/24/05)
• Pope begins new era today with blend of ancient and new
    Brian Murphy And Nicole Winfield/Associated Press (4/24/05: freep.com)
• Preparing for Pageantry of Pope's Installation
    Jason Horowitz/New York Times (4/24/05)

POPE BENEDICT XVI
• Meet Benedict XVI: Shy, Orderly, Funny
    Ian Fisher/New York Times (4/24/05)
• Turbulence on Campus in 60's Hardened Views of Future Pope
    Richard Bernstein, Daniel J. Wakin And Mark Landler/New York Times (4/24/05)
• Defender Of The Faith
    Jay Tolson/U.S. News & World Report (5/2/05)
• The Vision of Benedict XVI
    Christopher Dickey and Melinda Henneberger/Newsweek (5/2/05)
• Pope will bring 'shining light of Christ,' local archbishop declares during Mass
    Anne Marie Kilday/Houston Chronicle (4/24/05)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• George: Expect a shift in tone, not content
    Cathleen Falsani/Chicago Sun-Times (4/24/05)

LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOHN PAUL II
• The New Shepherd: It's hard to follow a superstar
    Nancy Gibbs/TIME (4/24/05)
• Pope says he's no John Paul II clone
    Victor L. Simpson/Associated Press (4/24/05: sltrib.com)

MEDIA COVERAGE: REVIEWS, ANALYSIS AND OPINION
• Media black smoke: A conservative pope appalls liberal journalists
    Jack Kelly/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/24/05)
• Pope Tells Journalists To Search For 'Truth'
    Daniel Williams/Washington Post (4/24/05)

APRIL 23, 2005
VATICAN DAYBOOK
• Pope Benedict pledges openness: New pope thanks journalists for coverage during transition
    Associated Press (4/23/05: CNN)
• Pope Says He Hopes for Openness With Media
Victor L. Simpson/Associated Press (4/23/05: ajc.com)
• Pope seeks open dialogue with media
    Eric J. Lyman/USA Today (4/23/05)
• New pope says thanks, but overlooks Hispanic faithful
    Patricia Montemurri/Detroit Free Press (4/23/05)

THE SUCCESSION
• Cardinals Pledge Their Support to Pope Benedict
    Tracy Wilkinson/Los Angeles Times (4/23/05)

CHURCH HISTORY
• Some popes didn't soar with angels
    Frank Trejo/Dallas Morning News (4/23/05)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• New world, old world: How will traditionalist deal with Catholic progressives?
    Carrie A. Moore/Deseret Morning News (4/23/05)
• What Does the Selection of the New Pope Portend for American Catholic Youths?
    Peter Steinfels/New York Times (4/23/05)
• Pope sees special ties with Judaism
    Michael Paulson/Boston Globe (4/23/05)

ABUSE CRISIS
• Pope Has Gained the Insight to Address Abuse, Aides Say
    Laurie Goodstein/New York Times (4/23/05)
• Pope-to-Be Reopened Mexican Sex Abuse Inquiry
    James C. McKinley Jr./New York Times (4/23/05)

PUBLIC REACTION
• Pope's fans are found online
    Tatsha Robertson/Boston Globe (4/23/05)

MEDIA COVERAGE: REVIEWS, ANALYSIS AND OPINION
• The Media and the Vatican: Opposing Goals
        David Carr/New York Times (4/23/05)

APRIL 22, 2005
POPE BENEDICT XVI
• Pope's Home Town Walked a Fine Line Under Nazi Rule
    Glenn Frankel/Washington Post (4/22/05)
• Writings of new Pope generate big demand, local booksellers say
    Gary T.Pakulski/Toledo Blade (4/22/05)
• In German town, Benedict XVI known for love of cats, conversation
    Matthew Schofield/Knight Ridder Newspapers (4/21/05: kansascity.com)

THE SUCCESSION
• Vatican gears up for new influx of pilgrims for pope's inauguration
    Nicole Winfield/Associated Press (4/22/05: Denver Post)
• Pope thanks cardinals for support
    CNN (4/22/05)

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• Striving for Continuity, Pope Reappoints Senior Officials
    Daniel J. Wakin/New York Times (4/22/05)
• Benedict retains team of last pope
    Stephen Heuser/Boston Globe (4/22/05)
• New Pope Reappoints Curia Chiefs
    Richard Boudreaux/Los Angeles Times (4/22/05)
• High-level Vatican vacancies provide fuel for rumor mill
    Manya A. Brachear and Steve Kloehn/Chicago Tribune (4/22/05)
• Pope signals continuity, keeps Vatican hierarchy
    Brian Murphy/Associated Press (4/22/05: Chicago Sun-Times)
• Benedict XVI: A Guardian, Not A CEO
    BusinessWeek (5/2/05)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• New Pope condemns Spain gay bill
    Robert Piggott/BBC News, Rome (4/22/05)

PUBLIC REACTION
• Pope Benedict could surprise us: What people abroad are saying about the new pope
    USA Today (4/21/05)
• New pope sells, but not as much as the old one
    Maria Sanminiatelli/Associated Press (4/21/05: kansascity.com)
• America reacts
    Linda Kulman/usnews.com (4/20/05)

MEDIA COVERAGE: REVIEWS, ANALYSIS AND OPINION
• Germans, Brits spar over pope
    Matthew McAllester/Newsday (4/22/05)

APRIL 21, 2005
DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• Pope May Color Debate in U.S. Over 'Life' Issues Like Abortion
    Robin Toner/New York Times (4/21/05)
• Benedict XVI Promises Dialogue and Reconciliation
    Laurie Goodstein and Ian Fisher/New York Times (4/21/05)
• Benedict welcomes dialogue
    Ann Rodgers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/21/05)
• Benedict XVI will test religion's 'red-blue' divide
    Peter Ford and Sophie Arie/Christian Science Monitor (4/21/05)
• Benedict vows to work for global reconciliation
    John Phillips/Washington Times (4/21/05)
• Harmony, healing top pope's agenda
    Tod Robberson/Dallas Morning News (4/21/05)
• Pope opens arms to other religions
    Jeffrey Weiss/Dallas Morning News (4/20/05)

CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
• Benedict fills Vatican positions
    Associated Press (4/21/05: Christian Science Monitor)

PUBLIC REACTION
• U.S. cardinals predict Catholics will warm to new pope
    Rachel Zoll/Associated Press (4/20/05: signonsandiego.com)

THE SUCCESSION
• Details Emerge of How Benedict Became Pope
    Barry Moody/Reuters (4/21/05)
• At Conclave, A Prediction And Promise
    Alan Cooperman and Daniel Williams/Washington Post (4/21/05)
• McCarrick, U.S. cardinals defend selection of pontiff
    Julia Duin/Washington Times (4/21/05)

ARTS AND MEDIA
• Pope Benedict XVI gets e-mail address
    Associated Press (4/21/05: USA Today)
• BenedictXVI.com Web site owner promises no porn, gambling
    Claudia Parsons/Reuters (4/20/05: computerworld.com)

MEDIA COVERAGE: REVIEWS, ANALYSIS AND OPINION
• Reverence Gone Up in Smoke
    Tina Brown/Washington Post (4/21/05)

APRIL 20, 2005
Habemus papam.

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany was elected the 265th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on April 19, after only two days of secret voting by the College of Cardinals in Rome. He took the name of Benedict XVI. Read a special ReligionLink edition with resources to help reporters interpret these events on the world, national and local stage.

POPE BENEDICT XVI
• Profile of Pope Benedict XVI
    Melissa Eddy/Associated Press (4/19/05: Denver Post)
• Germany's Cardinal Ratzinger chosen new pope
    William J. Kole/Associated Press (4/19/05: Denver Post)
• German conservative named pope; tells Vatican faithful, 'We go forward'
    Noelle Knox and Marco R. della Cava/USA Today (4/19/05)
• 'A simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord'
    Tom Hundley and Steve Kloehn/Chicago Tribune (4/19/05)
• Pope Benedict XVI
    Tom Hundley, Manya Brachear and Steve Kloehn/Chicago Tribune (4/20/05)
• Cardinal Ratzinger named Pope Benedict XVI
    Ken Dilanian, David O'reilly And Patricia Montemurri/Knight Ridder Newspapers (4/19/05: charlotte.com)
• Cardinals decide quickly on pope
    Cathleen Falsani/Chicago Sun-Times (4/20/05)
• Cardinals entrust church to conservative defender of the Catholic faith
    David O'Reilly/Detroit Free Press (4/20/05)
• Text of new pope's speech
    Associated Press (4/19/05: Denver Post)

FIRST DAYS
• Benedict XVI Sets Out Papal Goals in First Public Mass
    Elisabetta Povoledo/New York Times (4/20/05)
• New pope vows to work to reunify Christians
    Nicole Winfield/Associated Press (4/20/05: Denver Post)

BIOGRAPHY
• A Life in Three Phases
    Jeffrey Fleishman and Sebastian Rotella/Los Angeles Times (4/19/05)
• Devotion to Catholicism began early
    Rita Ciolli/Newsday (4/20/05: detnews.com)
• Observers describe a gracious man whose encounters with fascism, student unrest helped shape hard-line theology
    Patricia Yollin, Suzanne Herel/San Francisco Chronicle (4/20/05)
• New pope suffered 1991 brain hemorrhage
    CNN (4/20/05)
• A Theological Visionary With Roots in Wartime Germany
    Daniel J. Wakin/New York Times (4/20/05)

THE SUCCESSION
• White smoke, followed by joy, reflection
    Stephen Heuser/Boston Globe (4/20/05)
• Cardinals looked for a man to continue legacy, Rigali says
    Ann Rodgers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/20/05)
• Tradition of choosing a name was born of necessity
    Dennis Roddy/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/20/05)
• Pope to be formally installed Sunday
    William J. Kole/Associated Press (4/19/05: Denver Post)

DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE
• Pope, U.S. Cardinals Push Softer Image
    Fred Barbash/Washington Post (4/20/05)
• New era for the Catholic Church begins
    Sandi Dolbee/San Diego Union-Tribune (4/19/05)
• Evangelizer on the Right, With His Eye on the Future
    Laurie Goodstein/New York Times (4/20/05)
• Steadfast Beliefs in a Tumultuous World
    Alan Cooperman/Washington Post (4/20/05)
• A papal confidant faithful to doctrine
    Charles M. Sennott/Boston Globe (4/20/05)
• A conservative pope
    Peter Ford and Sophie Arie/Christian Science Monitor (4/20/05)
• New pope was in charge of crackdowns
    Melissa Eddy/Associated Press (4/19/05: Chicago Sun-Times)
• New pontiff loyal to Church theology
    David R. Sands/Washington Times (4/20/05)
• Assessing Pope Benedict XVI
    David Van Biema/TIME (4/19/05)
• Benedict Showed 2 Sides After Pope's Death
    Brian Murphy/Associated Press (4/19/05: Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Benedict XVI, 78, Was John Paul II's Strict Defender of the Faith
    Ian Fisher/New York Times (4/20/05)
• No illusions on where Benedict XVI stands
    Michael McGough/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (4/20/05)
• Benedict likely to hew to conservative agenda
    Gregg Jones and Bill Marvel/Dallas Morning News (4/19/05)
• Ratzinger a conservative choice for pope
    David O'Reilly/Philadelphia Inquirer (4/19/05)
• As Cardinal Ratzinger, the new pope has confronted Americans on politics, sex abuse
    Richard N. Ostling and Rachel Zoll/Associated Press (4/19/05: Detroit Free Press)
• Latin America: Morality battle predicted
    Alexandra Alter and Tyler Bridges/Miami Herald (4/20/05)

PUBLIC REACTION
• U.S. Catholics' Reactions to Pope Benedict XVI More Positive Than Negative
    Jeffrey M. Jones/Gallup (4/20/05)
• President, Hill Officials Laud Pope
    Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen/Washington Post (4/20/05)
• World leaders extend good wishes to new pope
   CNN (4/19/05)
• Many of world's Catholics praise Benedict, but some see him as hard-liner
    Beth Gardiner/Associated Press (4/19/05: Denver Post)
• Crowd's Praise Tinged With Questions About Pope's Conservatism
    Elisabeth Rosenthal/New York Times (4/20/05)
• Americans See a Figure Familiar From The Fray
    David Von Drehle/Washington Post (4/20/05)
• Around US, optimism and reservations nothing
   Brian MacQuarrie and Eric Ferkenhoff/Boston Globe (4/20/05)
• For America's Divided Roman Catholics, a New Difference of Opinion
   Dean E. Murphy/New York Times (4/20/05)
• American Catholics want to see changes in the church
   David Briggs/Cleveland Plain Dealer (4/17/05)
• Rejoicing, reservations greet new pontiff's election
   Courtney Flynn and Lisa Anderson/Chicago Tribune (4/19/05)
• Muted Enthusiasm in Homeland: Former Archbishop of Munich Became Remote Figure to Bavarians
   Petra Krischok and Craig Whitlock/Washington Post (4/19/05)
• In Ratzinger's hometown, cheers, jubilation from seminarians
   Matt Surman/Associated Press (4/19/05: Detroit News)
• Joy Tempered by a Wish for a Third World Pope
   Kevin Sullivan and Emily Wax/Washington Post (4/19/05)
• Amid praise for new pope, some regrets in Third World
    Henry Chu/Los Angeles Times (4/20/05: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Pope's election bittersweet for many Latin Americans
   Laurence Iliff/Dallas Morning News (4/19/05)
• Israel Praises Pope Despite Past Nazi Ties
   Peter Enav/Associated Press (4/20/05: washingtonpost.com)
• Some Jews in Israel wary about new pope
    Mark Lavie/Associated Press (4/20/05: USA Today)
• Jewish Groups Mostly Praise Pope as a Partner
    Andy Newman/New York Times (4/20/05)
• Tutu disappointed in pope's election
    Sunday Times (4/20/05)
• As in Rome, they waited here for the new pope
    Thomas Fitzgerald, Joseph A. Slobodzian and Dale Mezzacappa/Philadelphia Inquirer (4/19/05)