Pope Benedict XVI

Who is Pope Benedict XVI? Ahead of his visit to the UK in September, former BBC religious affairs correspondent Jane Little delves into his background to paint a portrait of a man many people know little about. The Catholic Church is facing one of its biggest challenges in recent history as one sexual abuse scandal after another emerges in countries from Ireland to Germany to the US. Critics are accusing the Church of cover-ups and are angry that the Pope has failed to issue an apology. Some observers are suggesting the Pope will be met with some hostility when he comes to the UK in September. Can the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide deal with the controversy, if protests happen, and does he have the temperament and personality to heal the cracks that are threatening the very fabric of his Church? Jane Little talks to former colleagues and students of this very devout Pope to find out.