Benedict - A Stern Voice in the Papacy

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Benedict was a stern voice in the papacy but managed to combine this strictness with this tenderness. He laid down again the doctrine that condoms could never be used even to prevent AIDS. Benedict became a focus for all the discontent on the right wing of the church. But those who most supported him were actually the right wingers in the church.

Our Brazil correspondent surveys the state of the country, as Lula assumes the presidency precisely 20 years after his first inauguration. We ask why America’s armed forces are facing recruitment struggles not seen since the Vietnam War. And as Benedict XVI’s funeral begins, our obituaries editor reflects on his papacy. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer