Pope Benedict XVI, who sparked Muslim anger in September with his remarks on Islam, arrived in Turkey yesterday for a trip meant to foster reconciliation between Christians and Muslims. Here is a short chronology of major events since Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope on April 19, 2005:

April 24 - Pope Benedict is installed as leader of the Roman Catholic Church at an inaugural Mass.

May 14 - Pope Benedict announces he is putting his predecessor Pope John Paul II on a fast- track to possible sainthood.

June 10 - Pope attacks the use of condoms to fight HIV/AIDS in his first comments on the disease, saying the Church is leading the battle against AIDS by teaching chastity.

November 29 - In a first major ruling of Benedict's reign, the Vatican imposes restrictions on homosexuals becoming priests.

December 25 - Pope Benedict, in his first Urbi et Orbi (To the City and the World) message and blessing, urges humanity to unite against terrorism, poverty and environmental blight.

January 25, 2006 - Pope releases first encyclical, called Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love).

March 24 - Pope installs his first group of new cardinals.

May 25 - Pope Benedict arrives in Poland on a four-day visit, touring cities central to John Paul's life in Poland.

June 22 - Pope Benedict names Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone the Vatican's new secretary of state, a post often dubbed "deputy pope" and number two in the Holy See hierarchy.

July 16 - Pope Benedict condemns "terrorist attacks and reprisals" in Lebanon and Israel, saying the violence was unjustifiable.

September 12 - During a visit to his native Germany, Pope Benedict sparks protests from the Muslim world with a speech Muslims say portrayed Islam as a religion tainted by violence and irrationality.

September 17 - Pope Benedict tries to calm Muslim anger over his lecture on Islam, saying he was "deeply sorry" about the reaction and that the medieval quotes he used on holy war did not reflect his personal views.

September 25 - Pope Benedict expresses his "esteem and profound respect" for members of the Islamic faith in a speech to envoys from 20 Muslim countries as well as leaders of Italy's own Muslim community.

October 9 - Pope says he understands Muslims' indignation over his controversial comments, and assures them of his respect for their "great religion".

October 11 - Pope Benedict says Christians cannot allow their beliefs and identity to be diluted for the sake of dialogue with other religions.

November 16 - The Vatican reaffirms celibacy for priests during a meeting with Pope Benedict that discussed requests by married priests who want to return to active ministry.

November 28 - Pope begins a four-day visit to mostly Muslim Turkey.

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