Pope tweets shout-out for WDC anti-abortion rally
Pope Benedict XVI is giving a shout-out to an anti-abortion rally in Washington, tweeting that politicians should protect the unborn and "promote a ...
Pope on social networking: the virtual is real
Pope Benedict XVI put church leaders on notice Thursday, saying social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter aren't a virtual world they can ...
Vatican welcomes Obama gun control proposal
The Vatican praised President Barack Obama's proposals for curbing gun violence, saying they are a "step in a right direction." The Vatican's chief ...

Pentagon chief Panetta meets Pope Benedict
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the leader of the world's largest military, met Pope Benedict XVI, the world's best known advocate for peace, at ...
Vatican surprised by bank's credit card block
A senior Vatican official says he is "truly surprised" that the Bank of Italy ordered credit card payments suspended in the tiny city-state and ...

4 women strip, protest Vatican gay marriage stance
Four women have gone topless in St. Peter's Square to protest the Vatican's opposition to gay marriage. Police quickly took the women away Sunday, and ...
Pope worries about gap between the rich and poor
Pope Benedict XVI urged world leaders on Monday to try to reduce the growing gap between the rich and the poor in regions such as Europe as they ...

Pope makes longtime aide a bishop in St. Peter's
Pope Benedict XVI has rewarded his longtime loyal secretary by making him a bishop in an elaborate ceremony in St. Peter's Basilica. The pontiff and ...

It's 'cash only' now for tourists at the Vatican
It's "cash only" now for tourists at the Vatican wanting to pay for museum tickets, souvenirs and other services after Italy's central bank decided ...

Pope convinced of peace in 2013 despite world woes
Pope Benedict XVI said Tuesday he is convinced that peace will prevail in 2013, despite the inequality, terrorism and "unregulated financial ...

Pope marks end of difficult year, notes God's good
Pope Benedict XVI marked the end of a difficult year Monday by saying that despite all the death and injustice in the world, goodness prevails.
Correction: Vatican-Christmas Shopping story
In a story Dec. 23 about the Vatican's tax-free department store, The Associated Press erroneously reported that online cigar retailer www.

Pope's Christmas message focuses on Mideast, China
In his Christmas message to the world Tuesday, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to the slaughter in Syria and for more meaningful negotiations ...

Thousands enjoy merry Christmas in Bethlehem
Thousands of Christians from the world over packed Manger Square in Bethlehem Monday to celebrate the birth of Jesus in the ancient West Bank town ...

At Christmas Eve Mass, pope urges space for God
Pope Benedict XVI marked Christmas Eve with Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and a pressing question: Will people find room in their hectic, ...

Pope pardons ex-butler who stole, leaked documents
Pope Benedict XVI granted his former butler a Christmas pardon Saturday, forgiving him in person during a jailhouse meeting for stealing and leaking ...

Pope stresses family values as gay marriage gains
The pope pressed his opposition to gay marriage Friday, denouncing what he described as people eschewing their God-given gender identities to suit ...
Vatican hopes UN Palestinian vote brings peace
The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has met with Pope Benedict XVI to thank him for supporting the recent U.N. resolution recognizing a ...
Activists protest pope's comment on gay marriage
Activists angered by Pope Benedict XVI's recent comment about gay marriage have held a small protest in St. Peter's Square during the pontiff's weekly ...

Pope 'deeply saddened' by senseless attack in US
Pope Benedict XVI told pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square on Sunday that he is praying for the families of the 20 children and six adults who ...

Christmas comes to Vatican with tree lighting
The Christmas season kicked off Friday at the Vatican with the traditional lighting of the tree in St. Peter's Square — and a reminder from the pope ...
Vatican austerity means donated nativity scene
The Vatican has happily accepted a donated Nativity scene for St. Peter's Square this Christmas after a previous setup costing €550,000 ($717,000) was ...

Pope hits 1M mark as he tweets: 'Dear Friends... '
Pope Benedict XVI hit the 1 million Twitter follower mark on Wednesday as he sent his first tweet from his new account, blessing his online fans and ...
Vatican: World not ending, despite Maya prediction
The Vatican's top astronomer has some assurances to offer: The world won't be ending in 10 days, despite predictions to the contrary. The Rev.

Pope's sensitive side revealed in children's book
A children's picture book about the goldfish pond at the pope's summer residence reveals a side of him few may know. Every day while Pope Benedict XVI ...