Just as Pope Benedict dedicated his pontificate to directing the faithful’s focus to the person of Christ, Pope Francis dedicated his homily to Christ’s loving devotion and suffering witness as the “invitation and the program of life that he quietly inspires in us,” rather than on a summary of his predecessor’s life.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI, who had an impressive record as a teacher and defender of the basics of Catholic faith, is likely to go down in history books as the first pope in almost 600 years to resign.

Statement on the Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. By the Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB Archbishop of Perth

The 5 January funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI will be a papal funeral with a few changes to fit with the fact that he was not the reigning pope and has not left behind a “sede vacante.”

Here are some important events in the life of Pope Benedict XVI.

In trying to help people understand how belief in God is a natural part of life and provides grounding for the values that protect human dignity and peaceful coexistence, the late Pope Benedict XVI saw Jews and Muslims as natural allies.

The late Pope Benedict XVI’s disgust over the abuse scandals marring the church was made evident even before his election as pope.

Here is a collection of notable quotes from Pope Benedict XVI from homilies, documents, messages and speeches from 2005 to 2013, the years he served as pope. They are grouped according to subject.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI’s final message to Catholics around the world was: “Stand firm in the faith! Do not let yourselves be confused!”

A quiet hush covered the vast expanse of St Peter’s Square even though it was filled with thousands of people slowly winding their way around the colonnade into St Peter’s Basilica to pay their last respects to the late Pope Benedict XVI.