January 23, 2011. Looking back at 2010, we can see a trend beginning to appear in the general audiences of Benedict XVI. Out of 45 separate audiences given over the year, 13 were dedicated to female figures in the Catholic Church.


Starting last September, it seemed almost every audience given by the Pope he paid recognition to a woman who played an important role in the Church.  The list includes Saints, mystics, authors and religious.  

In 2011 the Pope has already recognized another female Saint in his catecheses.  On January 12, he  spoke about Saint Catherine of Genoa who was best known for her vision of Purgatory and is admired for her work among the sick and the poor.  

These dedications to important female figures could be the beginning of a theme that will mark the papacy of Benedict XVI.  

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