A leading US Catholic source says it will be
On the eve of Palm Sunday, Benedict XVI will turn 84; three days later, he will mark the sixth anniversary of the start of his papacy.
Next year and beyond, the Pope will continue to unpack the depths of his teachings on sacred Scripture from “Verbum Domini.” Additionally, the leadership, role, and work of the Council for the New Evangelization will likely come into sharper focus.
And regarding the New Evangelization, that is certainly a topic which will present itself in August. Benedict XVI will head to Madrid for the 26th World Youth Day, a day he anticipates “with great joy.” Likely the biggest “event” on the Catholic Church’s 2011 agenda, Spain will then receive the Pontiff for the second time in 10 months. In addition to Spain and the usual papal travels throughout Italy, he will return to Africa with a visit to Benin. He will visit Croatia and his homeland of Germany as well.
In light of the controversies of 2010, Catholics may see some changes in the ways in which the Vatican handles the media and those hot-button issues. While sweeping staff changes are rarely the actions taken by the Vatican, the Pope’s advisers have much to improve upon to prevent confusion and scandal. They must learn the savvy needed to prevent the type of media manipulations that have occurred during Benedict XVI’s pontificate.
The biggest headline-maker for secular news coverage of the Church in 2011 may again be the sex abuse scandals. As the Church in Europe begins its process of healing, the coming tide of litigation may exact a heavy toll. However, Catholics in Europe have strong reason to hope as their bishops have the advantage of looking to the successful example of the U.S. Church in how to respond to this very crisis to ensure the safety of children. Data showing virtual eradication of clerical abuse in the United States substantiate this comment from Father Thomas Brundage, JLC, former canonical judge for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee: “The Catholic Church is probably the safest place for children at this point in history.”
Extract from Catholic net article – 2010: A Papal Year in Review. See:
http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=zenit&id=31355