Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, succeeding the enormously popular John Paul II. Sometimes called “God’s Rottweiler" for his staunch defense of traditional Catholic doctrine, the cerebral Benedict is charged with tackling many of the challenges John Paul left behind, including ensuring that Catholicism remains a ‘large tent’ even as he insists that Catholics toe the line on all matters of doctrine and theology. But Benedict hasn't kowtowed to detractors yet—he continues to spark controversy with his outspoken comments and contentious decisions, including his recent choice to restore the traditional Latin mass.http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorFri, 29 Aug 2008 4:19:24 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36079/vatican-objects-to-image-of-frog-on-crucifix.html?refid=rss_all_defaultDespite objections from the pope, a sculpture of a crucified frog will continue to hang in an Italian museum, board officials said today. The Vatican slammed the work, called Feet First , as a blasphemous attack on Christianity. But museum officials cited artistic freedom and said its German creator considered the piece a self-portrait illustrating human angst, Reuters reports.http://www.newser.com/story/36079/vatican-objects-to-image-of-frog-on-crucifix.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 28 Aug 2008 16:10:38 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35231/knights-templar-heirs-sue-pope-for-150b.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA group claiming to be descended from the ancient Knights Templar want Pope Benedict XVI to right a 700-year-old wrong, NPR reports. The group has filed a lawsuit in Spain seeking $150 billion in compensation for property seized by the church. It also wants the church to apologize and restore the good name of the Templars, who were officially dissolved as a group in 1307 after being accused of heresy.http://www.newser.com/story/35231/knights-templar-heirs-sue-pope-for-150b.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 19 Aug 2008 6:07:54 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32918/boston-diocese-boots-women-priests.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA group campaigning for women to be admitted to the Roman Catholic priesthood held a ceremony in a Protestant church in Boston yesterday in which three women were declared Catholic priests and a fourth a deacon. The Archdiocese of Boston immediately denounced the action and declared that the women had automatically excommunicated themselves by taking part in the unauthorized ordination, reports the Boston Globe .http://www.newser.com/story/32918/boston-diocese-boots-women-priests.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 21 Jul 2008 0:36:25 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32889/pope-to-kids-spurn-spiritual-desert.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPope Benedict XVI called on young Christians to revive spirituality by rejecting modern society's greed and materialism, AP reports. At a mass of 350,000 young pilgrims in Sydney, and a global TV audience of millions, the pope called for "a new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy, and self-absorption which deadens our souls." The mass concluded a six-day World Youth festival, which drew crowds from 160 countries.http://www.newser.com/story/32889/pope-to-kids-spurn-spiritual-desert.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 20 Jul 2008 5:11:11 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32836/pope-apologizes-for-evil-clergy-sex-abuse.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPope Benedict XVI used unusually strong language today in condemning the sexual abuse of children by Australia's Catholic clergy, reports the AP. The pontiff said the clergy's "grave betrayal of trust" had damaged the Catholic church. "I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured. I assure them as their pastor that I, too, share in their suffering," Benedict said during a mass in Sydney. "Those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice."http://www.newser.com/story/32836/pope-apologizes-for-evil-clergy-sex-abuse.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 19 Jul 2008 5:32:42 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32792/mickey-mouse-hat-doesnt-get-popes-blessing.html?refid=rss_all_defaultPhotographers, children and Disney executives were sorely disappointed this morning when Pope Benedict refused to don a black Mickey Mouse hat, complete with ears, in place of his usual white skullcap. A group from Orange County, Calif., presented Benedict with the getup during World Youth Day festivities in Australia, Reuters reports, but the pontiff politely passed the headgear to aides.http://www.newser.com/story/32792/mickey-mouse-hat-doesnt-get-popes-blessing.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 18 Jul 2008 12:53:44 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32432/aussies-may-have-slipped-pope-a-cat.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThere’s a new papal mystery swirling around the Outback—is Pope Benedict hanging out with a borrowed kitten? Organizers of the Catholic youth festival say they gave Benedict a gray loaner named Bella to keep the cat-loving pontiff company during his Australian sojurn. But when pressed, a Vatican spokesman told the AP he had no knowledge of such a feline.http://www.newser.com/story/32432/aussies-may-have-slipped-pope-a-cat.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Jul 2008 10:55:53 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32450/aussie-court-strikes-down-law-banning-pope-protests.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAn Australian court has struck down a law aimed at curbing protests during Pope Benedict XVI's visit Down Under, reports Reuters. The law, ruled unconstitutional, had banned protesters from "annoying" those attending papal events. People handing out condoms or wearing anti-Pope t-shirts faced possible $5,000 fines.http://www.newser.com/story/32450/aussie-court-strikes-down-law-banning-pope-protests.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 15 Jul 2008 2:36:03 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/32340/go-green-pope-urges-youth.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Pope yesterday called on the world—particularly young people—to combat global warming with "a style of life that eases problems caused to the environment," reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Pope Benedict issued his plea just minutes before touching down in Australia for an official visit. The Vatican is going green with a new solar power system.http://www.newser.com/story/32340/go-green-pope-urges-youth.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 13 Jul 2008 22:23:30 CDT