Pope Pius XII stated church teaching on this point in 1950 in an encyclical called 'Humani Generis'(You can find it on line). It states in part that research and discussion into the doctrine of evolution regarding the question of the origin of the human body from pre-existing living matter is permitted. [para. 36] and that research must consider theories favorable and unfavorable to evolution fairly. [para. 36] So this statement by Pope Benedict does not seem to change anything. There has always been an argument for the existence of God based on intelligent design in Theology, but it is not a scientific argument because it cannot be demonstrated nor, in fact, disproved through experimentation.
Well stated.
Right--this is kind of the non-news story of the day. The Church has never opposed or supported evolution. It's just said "let's get all the facts we can, so we can understand God's creation better."