Pope lauds Pius XII Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday praised his controversial predecessor Pius XII while celebrating a commemorative mass on the 50th anniversary of the wartime pope's death.
Vatican and Muslims 'allies in defence of life and freedom' The Catholic Church sees Muslims as ''allies'' in its battle to defend life, moral values, peace and freedom, a top Church official told the world gathering of bishops.
Pope reaffirms anti-contraception stance Pope Benedict XVI on Friday reaffirmed the Catholic Church's opposition to contraception and lamented that many Catholics ''have difficulty'' in understanding the Church's stance on the issue.
Msgr. Crociata new CEI secretary general Pope Benedict XVI has named Msgr. Mariano Crociata, the bishop of Noto, to be the new secretary general of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI), a statement from the Vatican said on Thursday.
Footballers to flank Pope in tv Bible reading Two of Italy's soccer greats are to star alongside Pope Benedict XVI when he becomes the first pontiff in history to read a chapter of the Bible on television.
San Gennaro 'miracle' recurs The Miracle of San Gennaro was repeated on Wednesday when the blood of this city's patron saint liquefied at 9.30am.
Vatican: 'research clears Pius' New research clears controversial wartime pope Pius XII from the accusation that he did not do enough to save Jews, Pope Benedict XVI said on Thursday.
Vatican: Evolutionary theory 'not incompatible' A senior Vatican official on Tuesday said evolutionary theory was ''not incompatible'' with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Bible as he launched the Vatican's latest initiative to promote dialogue between scientists and theologians.
Msgr. Betori new Florence archbishop Pope Benedict XVI on Monday appointed Msgr. Giuseppe Betori to be the new archbishop of Florence, the Vatican press office announced.
Pope slams crucified frog Pope Benedict XVI has condemned a sculpture of a crucified frog on display at a Bolzano museum, a local politician revealed Wednesday.
Crucified frog's days numbered A controversial crucified frog sculpture on show at Bolzano's Museion modern art museum may soon be removed, the provincial government said Tuesday.
Pope China visit 'premature' The idea of an official visit by Pope Benedict XVI to China was ''entirely premature,'' the Vatican said Thursday.
Beatification set for 'Foibe' priest The Vatican on Tuesday set a date for the beatification of a wartime priest who died at the hands of Yugoslav Communist guerillas in the so-called Foibe atrocities.
Swiss Guards get new chief The pope's colourful protection force, the Swiss Guards, got a new leader on Tuesday - policeman, army captain and former law lecturer Daniel Rudolf Anrig.
Pope tells Latin American Church to fight corruption Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday urged the Catholic Church in Latin America to fight against ''the plague of corruption and indifference'' in the region by reinforcing ''a sense of ecclesiastical belonging''.
Church bells in Rome go electric The centuries-old tradition of ringing church bells by hand has died out in Rome, where parish priests in only three of the city's churches still use ropes to call parishioners to prayer or mark deaths and marriages.
Pope says China 'must open up to Christ' Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday said China was becoming an important political and economic force but must open the doors to Christianity.
Frog hunger strike councillor hospitalised An Italian local politician on hunger strike over a sculpture of a crucified frog fell ill and was admitted to hospital on Thursday.
Pope off on holiday Pope Benedict XVI left Castel Gandolofo Monday for his summer holiday in the mountain town of Bressanone in Italy's northern Alto Adige region.
Pope to visit Napolitano October 4 Pope Benedict XVI will visit Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the presidential palace in Rome on October 4, sources at the Quirinale place said Friday.
