VATICAN CITY - From the Gospel to Google, the church has been seeking ways to announce the word of Christ for 2,000 years.

Pope Benedict XVI has gone on YouTube and his speeches appear in Chinese on the Vatican Web site, but judging from the uproar over a Holocaust-denying bishop and his pronouncement that condoms deepen the AIDS crisis, he’s clearly struggling with his message.

During his nearly four-year papacy, criticism has been pouring in from Muslims, Jews and members of his own flock, as the German pontiff seems to step into controversy at every turn. The attacks by European governments this past week over condom use are unprecedented.

VATICAN CITY - From the Gospel to Google, the church has been seeking ways to announce the word of Christ for 2,000 years.

Pope Benedict XVI has gone on YouTube and his speeches appear in Chinese on the Vatican Web site, but judging from the uproar over a Holocaust-denying bishop and his pronouncement that condoms deepen the AIDS crisis, he’s clearly struggling with his message.

During his nearly four-year papacy, criticism has been pouring in from Muslims, Jews and members of his own flock, as the German pontiff seems to step into controversy at every turn. The attacks by European governments this past week over condom use are unprecedented.

Benedict’s communications ability will be tested when he visits the Holy Land for the first time in May. On Thursday, the Vatican announced the full schedule for May 8-15 trip to Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Among the potential pitfalls is the figure of the World War II pope, Pius XII. Some historians say he did not do everything in his power to stop the Holocaust, but the Vatican defends his actions and is considering him for possible beatification.

Top church officials have rallied to Benedict’s side. Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, head of the Italian Bishops Conference, said the criticism “has gone beyond good sense.”

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