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Never before has a pope given as in-depth and extensive an interview as Light of the World, answering so many direct questions on so many personal and controversial topics.

Five years after his election, Pope Benedict XVI openly discusses the criticisms of his pontificate, the crisis in the Church brought on by the clergy sexual abuse scandal, the need for church reform, the problems of uniting faith and reason today, as well as contemporary issues such as abortion, climate change, same-sex unions, the global economic crisis, and the new atheism.  He also examines the quest for unity among Christians, the relations with Islam, the message of Fatima, and the prospects for peace. An unabashed follower of Jesus Christ, Benedict addresses the Church’s drive for a new evangelization and the challenges it involves.

Seewald’s respect for Benedict is evident, but the journalist does not let it stop him from posing some of the thorniest, most challenging questions any pope has had to answer.  

As believers and unbelievers alike read this book, many will be challenged to reconsider what they think they know about Pope Benedict XVI and the future of the Catholic Church. 

Benedict answers questions such as:

• What caused the clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church?
• Was there a “cover up”?
• Have you considered resigning?
• Can there be a genuine dialogue with Islam?
• Should the Church rethink Catholic teaching on priestly celibacy, women priests, contraception, and same-sex relationships?
• Holy Communion for divorced-and-remarried Catholics?
• Is there a schism in the Catholic Church?
• Should there be a Vatican III?
• Is there any hope for Christian unity?
• What films does the Pope watch?
• Is Christianity the only truth?
• Can the Pope really speak for Jesus Christ?
• How can the Pope claim to be "infallible"?
• Is there a “dictatorship of relativism” today?
• What is the future for faith?
• What about the Church in China?

Plus, many more questions and answers.

Introduction by: George Weigel

Peter Seewald is a veteran journalist and author of the biography Benedict XVI: An Intimate Portrait and Pope Benedict XVI: Servant of the Truth.  He has done two other, best-selling book-length interviews with Joseph Ratzinger, Salt of the Earth and God and the World.