The Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI was in many ways a period of great turbulence-the scandal of clerical abuse, the Regensburg speech which inflamed the Muslim world, the Vati-Leaks episode, which some have described as a battle between good and evil. And finally, not least, Benedict's sudden resignation on the grounds that, because of age and ill health, he could no longer cope with the pressures and exigencies of high office. We have also learned subsequently that he suffered from extended periods of insomnia. And yet, as obituarists and chroniclers of his Pontificate have written, he was a great Pope and a Pope-Theologian of formidable intellect who wrote a number of important books, explaining clearly the fundamentals of Christian belief. His writings were voluminous but a unique insight into his thoughts and character. He is seen clearly in this collection of the major addresses he delivered during his time as Pope. These addresses make up the content of this book. They were given to a variety of audiences-the Cardinals in Rome, the students in Regensburg, his address at Auschwitz/Birkenau, the Members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, and the German Reichstag in Berlin.

And finally, to the People of Ireland. All the texts in this book were approved by Pope Benedict XVI himself and are assembled here in a book for the first time. In spite of contrary opinion, one thing is clear from this book: there is real continuity between the teaching and vision of Pope Benedict and that of his successor Pope Francis. Both, in their own ways, were committed to the Conciliar teachings of Vatican II, and in particular the assertion that the Church needs the world and the world needs the Church.