We formulate a non-perturbative lattice model of two-dimensional Lorentzian
quantum gravity by performing the path integral over geometries with a cau
sal structure. The model can be solved exactly at the discretized level. It
s continuum limit coincides with the theory obtained by quantizing 2d conti
nuum gravity in proper-time gauge, but it disagrees with 2d gravity defined
via matrix models or Liouville theory. By allowing topology change of the
compact spatial slices (i.e. baby universe creation), one obtains agreement
with the matrix models and Liouville theory. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V
.