Pope Benedict XVI
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Date: 9 April 2008
Getting to Know Joseph Ratzinger
Pope Benedict XVI, aka Joseph Alois Ratzinger, is the spiritual leader of 64 million American Catholics. And when he visits the United States on April 15th, in his first trip to this country as Pope, the vast majority of Americans will barely know who he is.
According to one survey, 17 percent of Americans claim to have never even heard of the 80-year-old pontiff. So today we devote our entire show to getting to know this shy, former theology professor.
David Gibson, author of The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World
Jews and the Catholic Church
Begins at 13:44
On April 18, the Pope Benedict will visit a modern Orthodox temple in New York—the first time a pope has ever visited an American synagogue. The goodwill gesture comes just two months after the Vatican re-issued a Latin Good Friday prayer calling for the conversion of the Jews. Rabbi James Rudin explains what the visit might accomplish.
Rabbi James Rudin, senior advisor for Interreligious affairs for the American Jewish Committee, regular columnist for Religion News Service
The Changing Face of American Catholics
Begins at 22:49
What will the Pope find in his flock, the American Catholic Church? According to a recent Pew poll, a growing Latino population, a declining Anglo population, and a body of faithful whose political views - even on hot button social issues - look like most Americans.'
Dr. Luis Lugo, Director of the Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life
The Pope in the Media
“Pope Is Coming, as Is Clichéd Coverage in the Media.” When we saw that headline in the New York Times a few weeks ago, we paid attention. Peter Steinfels, the author of that article, says that, in the Pope’s eight trips to the US so far, journalists have almost always cast the pontiff in a simple “for or against” framework: for change or against change—end of story.
Peter Steinfels, co-director of the Fordham Center on Religion and Culture, religion columnist for the New York Times
Singing for the Papal Mass
Begins at 43:06
From African American spirituals to Gregorian Chant, the music at the Papal Mass will reflect the diversity of the modern Catholic Church. We dropped by a rehearsal at St. Mark's Parish in Maryland for a sneak peek.
Thomas Stehle, Director of music for the Papal Mass, pastoral associate for liturgy and music at Our Lady of Mercy parish
Michael McMahon, President of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians
