Vatican magistrates charged the Pope’s butler with illegal possession of secret documents on Saturday and said they would launch a wider investigation into the “Vatileaks” scandal to see if others were involved in leaking information to the media.
In today's round-up of the international press, we look at the chances Israel will bomb Iran - and if the US can stop them. Also, why is Mitt Romney doing so badly in Michigan, and corruption at the Vatican.
Catholic clergy has an obligation to report child sex abuse, a Vatican official told the Holy See’s first symposium on the subject Monday, but victims’ groups demanded the Vatican hand over evidence of past abuse to the International Criminal Court.
Pope Benedict XVI condemned corruption and called on African leaders not to deprive its citizens of hope at a time of "too much violence." Benedict issued the call during a speech at Benin’s presidential palace on Saturday.
The Vatican said on Thursday it will take legal steps to halt the distribution of a photo montage showing the pope in a lip-lock with an imam as part of an advertising campaign for Benetton. The Italian firm has already said it will withdraw the ad.
The Pope is back in his home country of Germany for a four-day visit. He will of course be welcomed by many - but he will also be greeted by controversy and criticism. It's the first time Benedict XVI has been home since widespread allegations of sexual abuse rocked the German Catholic Church.
Groups representing US victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests have asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the pope and other Vatican officials for covering up crimes, claiming these were "widespread and systematic."
The Vatican rejected Saturday criticisms by the Irish government that it undermined efforts by Irish bishops to report priests who sexually abused children to the police. It said the criticisms were “unfounded” and “inaccurate”.
This week, Pope Benedict XVI was in Spain for World Youth Day, but not everyone was pleased to see him - we take a look at the Catholic and secular aspects of Spanish life. Also, it has been 20 years since the coup attempt that led to the fall of the Soviet Union, but some in Moscow say it is not an event to celebrate. And finally, Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling finds some French magic in her family history.
Pope Benedict XVI landed in Madrid on Thursday for World Youth Day, hours after clashes broke out between police and demonstrators angered by the cost of hosting the lavish event at a time of austerity.
