Pope Benedict XVI marks first year in office

Apr 19, 2006, 11:37 GMT

Vatican City - The Vatican, Italy and Catholics around the world paid tribute Wednesday to Pope Benedict XVI on the first anniversary of his election as pontiff.

The Vatican's official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, marked the anniversary with a special 12-page supplement recounting his April 19, 2005 election and extracts from his speeches delivered over the past 12 months. Italian television dedicated a flurry of programs to the 265th pope in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

Benedict also received the greetings of foreign dignitaries and of thousands of ordinary Catholics gathered in St. Peter's Square to attend his traditional mid-week general audience.

Despite his reputation as a stern intellectual, the German-born pontiff has proved particularly popular with the crowds. Benedict is estimated to have met more than 4 million people during his first year as pope, the Vatican says.

Joseph Ratzinger, who celebrated his 79th birthday on Easter Sunday, has vowed to speak, write and travel less than his predecessor.

Vatican expert Silvio Negro says Benedict has proved to be 'more religious and less political' than the late John Paul II.