Pope

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican Saturday to discuss relations between Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches.

The heads of the two church bodies met in private for 20 minutes – the first time they have come together since the Vatican announced a new structure within the Catholic fold to accommodate disillusioned Anglicans.

The Vatican said in a statement after the meeting that discussions between the two leaders had been “cordial” as they “turned to the challenges facing all Christian communities; and the need to promote forms of collaboration and shared witness in facing these challenges.” more >>

In their first meeting Friday, President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI touched on the ethics of abortion and stem cells.

The two leaders met at the Vatican's apostolic palace where the pontiff offered Obama a copy of a document titled "An Instruction on Certain Bioethical Questions," according to CNN.

While Obama supports abortion rights and funding embryonic stem cell research, the Vatican is staunchly opposed to both. In a paper that was released in December, the Vatican hardened its opposition to using embryos for stem cell research and affirmed the dignity of every human life – beginning at conception. more >>

Pope Benedict XVI gave encouragement to Christians living in the Holy Land at an open-air Mass on Sunday attended by some 50,000 people.

Speaking inside the largest football stadium in Amman, Jordan, the Pope called on believers to “be faithful to your roots,” but also to work with people from other religions and to oppose violent ideologies.

He said, “The Catholic community here is deeply touched by the difficulties and uncertainties which affect all the people of the Middle East. more >>

The Taliban has warned Pope Benedict XVI that he will feel "the consequences of a severe reaction" if Christianity is allowed to be preached in Afghanistan.

He was also asked to stop any attempts by "crusaders" to convert Muslims to Christianity.

The warning was made as Pope Benedict began an eight-day tour of the Middle East on Friday. This is his first papal tour of the Holy Land. more >>

Pope Benedict XVI wrapped up his Africa tour Monday by urging the continent to help the poor and to overcome its corruption problem.

Speaking from Luanda airport in Angola, Benedict appealed to African leaders to share their countries’ resources more fairly with the poor. Many African nations are known to be rich in natural resources but the wealth is concentrated among the political leaders while the vast majority remains in abject poverty.

"Our hearts cannot be at peace as long as there are brothers that suffer the lack of food, work, a house, and other fundamental goods," said the pope before boarding the chartered Alitalia plane to fly back to Rome, according to The Associated Press. more >>

Pope Benedict XVI told Muslim leaders in Cameroon Thursday that true religion rejects violence.

In a closed-door meeting with 22 representatives of Cameroon’s Muslim community, Benedict said religion is the basis of human civilization, according to The Associated Press.

"Genuine religion ... stands at the base of any authentically human culture," he said. "It rejects all forms of violence and totalitarianism: not only on principles of faith but also of right reason." more >>