Der Tagesspiegel (Germany)
“Der Papst als Politiker”
”The Pope in the role of a politician”

On the last day of the Pope’s visit to the Middle East, Der Tagesspiegel’s correspondent in Bethlehem, Alexander Schwabe, analyses Benedict XVI’s tone throughout his tour. The Berlin-based newspaper says that, in Jordan and Israel, the Pope took on the role of a pilgrim. But his tone changed in the Palestinian territories. There,he talked about Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, and said he wanted a two-state solution. Der Tagesspiegel points out that he did not talk of a separation barrier in the West Bank, instead preferring the expression "the wall."

Libération (France)
"Les omissions du pape agitent l’Allemagne"
"The Pope’s omissions perturb Germany"

The French left-leaning daily Libération centres its analysis on what the Pope didn’t say in Israel. According to Libération’s correspondent in Berlin, large parts of the German press expected something more from Pope Benedict XVI’s tour of the Middle East. As a former member of the Hitler Youth, many say he should have said sorry for Germany’s crimes during the Second World War.

The Guardian (UK)
“House of ill repute: heads roll as Westminster reels”

In the United Kingdom, the parliamentary expenses row has caused turmoil in the House of Commons. After the Daily Telegraph broke the story, almost all British newspapers are today leading with the latest political scandal. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suspended a former minister and an opposition MP has been forced to quit by the latest revelations. The Guardian calls this “probably the blackest day for Parliament in the modern era.” On its website, the left-leaning daily publishes embarrassing details of MPs' claims for everything from swimming pools to tennis courts.

Le Monde (France)
"L’Histoire à la une"
"History on the front page"

Today’s Le Monde is number 20,000. For its anniversary edition, the French daily publishes a supplement that reproduces twenty "emblematic" front pages. Among them, Le Monde’s front page from 3 May 1945, with the simple headline “Hitler is dead”.