The BBC is to air a documentary about the Catholic clerical abuse scandals next month as part of a season of factual programmes to coincide with the first papal visit to the UK for 28 years.Benedict: Trials of a Pope features film-maker Mark Dowd going in search of what the BBC calls "the real Joseph Ratzinger".
Dowd travels to Pope Benedict XVI's homeland of Bavaria and the programme includes a rare interview with his brother, Georg Ratzinger, who reveals how he has been affected by the abuse scandals.
The hour-long BBC2 documentary also looks at how the Catholic church has tried to "fashion a positive message about Pope Benedict by training up an army of young religious spin doctors called Catholic Voices".
Ann Widdecombe will also explore the life of the 19th century cardinal, John Henry Newman, in Newman: The Reluctant Saint.
Newman is being beatified – one step below becoming a saint – in a ceremony that will be the climax of the Pope's visit to Britain in September.
BBC4 also looks into the workings of the Vatican itself in Vatican: The Hidden World. The hour-long documentary includes a look at the curators who tend the Vatican's treasures and relics such as the bones of St Peter.
The BBC commissioning editor religion and head of religion and ethics, Aaqil Ahmed, said: "Benedict: Trails of a Pope and Newman: The Reluctant Saint are both fascinating and thought-provoking documentaries which will provide a unique insight and background to the papal visit."
The BBC also said it will give "full coverage" to the papal visit in "news and events programmes and current affairs across radio and TV", details of which are still being finalised.
Benedict: Trials of a Pope and Newman: The Reluctant Saint are BBC Vision productions and the executive producer is John Claude Bragard.
Vatican: The Hidden World is an ARD/BBC co-production for BBC4 and is executive produced by Carol Sennett.
SIC: TGUK