Important events in the papacy of Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI is shown in side-by-side images from 2005 and 2013. At left is the pope in a photo taken May 4, 2005, about two weeks after his election. At right is an image taken Feb. 9 at the Vatican. The 85-year-old German pontiff announced Feb. 11 that he was stepping down saying he does not have the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church. Nancy Phelan Wiechec and Paul Haring, Catholic News Service

April 19, 2005: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 78, elected pope and takes the name Benedict XVI.

Dec. 22, 2005: In a meeting with top aides at the Vatican, Pope Benedict insists the teaching of the Second Vatican Council must be read in continuity with the church’s tradition.

Sept. 12, 2006: In a speech about faith and reason at the University of Regensburg, Germany, Pope Benedict cites a historical criticism of violence in Islam, setting off consternation and protests.

Nov. 30, 2006: Pope Benedict stands with Muslim leader in Turkey’s Blue Mosque; says he prayed that God would help all believers see each other as brothers and sisters.

April 16, 2007: The first of what would be a three-volume work, “Jesus of Nazareth,” by Pope Benedict goes on sale and is an immediate commercial success.

May 27, 2007: In a letter to Chinese Catholics, Pope Benedict criticizes government restrictions on religion and urges reconciliation among the country’s Catholic communities.

July 7, 2007: Pope Benedict issues an apostolic letter, “Summorum Pontificum,” permitting wider use of the pre-Vatican II Mass.

April 15-20, 2008: Pope Benedict visits Washington, New York and the United Nations, meets victims of clerical sex abuse for first time.

July 12-21, 2008: Pope Benedict travels to Sydney for World Youth Day.

Jan. 21, 2009: With Pope Benedict’s approval, the Vatican issues a letter lifting the excommunication of four traditionalist bishops belonging to the Society of St. Pius X to clear the way for reconciliation talks with the group.

May 8-15, 2009: Pope Benedict travels to Jordon, Israel and Palestinian territories.

Nov. 4, 2009: With the apostolic constitution “Anglicanorum coetibus,” Pope Benedict establishes personal ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church.

July 15, 2010: With the approval of Pope Benedict, the Vatican releases streamlined procedures for handling accusations of clerical sexual abuse and removing those found guilty from the priesthood.

May 1, 2011: Pope Benedict beatifies Pope John Paul II.

March 23-28, 2012: Pope Benedict visits Mexico and Cuba.

Dec. 22, 2012: After nearly a year of Vatican scandal over leaked documents and the papal butler being convicted of theft, Pope Benedict visits the butler in jail and pardons him.

Feb. 11, 2013: Pope Benedict informs a group of cardinals that he will resign effective Feb. 28.