Pope Urges New World Order for Global Economy

(NEWSER) - President Obama met with Pope Benedict for the first time today at the Vatican, the AP reports. The White House press secretary predicted a “frank discussion. I think that there's a lot that they agree on that they'll get a chance to discuss,” said Robert Gibbs. Though the pontiff and the president disagree on abortion and stem cell research, their shared interests include Middle East peace and the plight of developing nations. More»

'Will collaborate with investigators to ascertain the truth,' says lawyer

(NEWSER) - The butler allegedly did it, and now he's ready to cooperate with police. Pope Benedict's butler Paolo Gabriele has agreed to assist in the investigation into leaks of Vatican documents after officials reportedly found confidential files in his home , according to law enforcement authorities. Gabriele's lawyer said his client would "respond to all the questions, and will collaborate with investigators to ascertain the truth." More»

Paolo Gabriele is arrested after allegedly leaking Benedict's letters

(NEWSER) - An in-house scandal at the Vatican expanded dramatically yesterday with the arrest of the pope's butler, Paolo Gabriele, who was found with confidential documents on him and has been accused of leaking the private letters of Benedict XVI to the press, reports the New York Times . The Vatican confirmed today that Gabriele has been arrested in the enfolding "Vatileaks" scandal, notes AP . The arrest comes just after the ouster of the president of the Vatican Bank over standards at the bank. More»

Pontiff will also mark 7th anniversary as pope

(NEWSER) - Staring down both his 85th birthday and the seventh anniversary of his papacy, Pope Benedict today asked the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for both prayers and strength, reports the AP . "Next Thursday, on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of my election to the See of Peter, I ask for your prayers, so that the Lord gives me the strength to fulfill the mission he entrusted to me." Benedict's birthday is tomorrow; the pontiff will celebrate with older brother Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, who has flown in from Germany. More»

Benedict XVI sees 'darkness enshrouding God'

(AP) - Pope Benedict XVI, carrying a tall, lit candle, ushered in Christianity's most joyous celebration with an Easter vigil service tonight, but voiced fears that mankind is groping in darkness, unable to distinguish good from evil. "Life is stronger than death," he said. "Good is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate." However, he added, "The darkness enshrouding God and obscuring values is the real threat to our existence and to the world in general." More»