"AIDS cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems," he told media persons on March 17 while on his way to Cameroon.
Five people, suspected to be Arabs, were arrested in London on Friday over an alleged plot to harm Pope Benedict XVI, now on a state visit to the UK. The five men, in the age group of 26-50, were picked up by Scotland Yard on Friday morning in central London and were being questioned by counter-terror detectives.
The German-born Pope Benedict XVI will make his first papal visit to Britain on September 16. However, hours before his arrival in London, his key aide, Cardinal Walter Kasper referred to the UK as a 'Third World' country, triggering a new row.
'The particular circumstances that we have recently experienced together demonstrate clearly that, however arduous the path of authentic dialogue may be at times, it is more necessary than ever,' Cardinal Paul Poupard said in a message to Muslims.
Nearly 10,000 people, mostly Keralite Christians, are expected to participate in the canonisation of Sister Alphonsa in Vatican on October 12.
"Muslims take their religion very seriously and non-Muslims must appreciate their religious sentiments, and must also understand that there may be serious consequences if you insult Islam and the Prophet."
The police picked up Masrat Alam, chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League, a constituent of the hard-line Hurriyat faction, from Srinagar's Shaheedgunj area.
Pope Benedict XVI failed to mention the child sex abuse scandal, which rocked the Roman Catholic Church, in his traditional Easter message in Rome.
In his maiden address to the 192-member General Assembly, the pontiff avoided reference to political issues, but concentrated on the need for inter-faith dialogue and human rights based on ethical values.
Ratzinger, 78, is one of the few members of John Paul II's inner circle who are considered 'papabile'.
His alias on Twitter is @OHHDL, which stands for 'The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,' sent out a welcome note on Saturday.
This is the Pope's first visit to a predominantly Muslim nation.
A Kerala bishop who raised a storm following his decision to adopt a 39-year old woman as his daughter has been suspended.
Sister Alphonsa has been conferred sainthood. Alphonsa from Bharanangnam near Kottayam in Kerala on Sunday became the first woman from India and second from Indian Roman Catholic church to get canonised.
Sister Alphonsa will become the first Indian woman to achieve the high spiritual position in the hall of fame and veneration of the Catholic Church. Hundreds of Keralite Christians from different parts of the world are expected to attend the event at the Vatican and share the jubilation.
Police, however, denied the knife attack on Iqbal had taken place.
The high profile visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the US is noted for the involvement of several Indian Americans as well as a protest in New York. People belonging to different faiths, excluding the Sikhs, will meet with him in an interfaith dialogue at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington DC, on Thursday evening. Several Indians are also invited to the White House reception to the Pope.
In a rare honour Dr Ravi Gupta, assistant professor of Religion at Center College in Kentucky, has been selected as one of the five young people representing different religions to meet with the Pope and to hand him a present symbolising Hinduism. Gupta will give the Pope an incense burner in the shape of the sacred Hindu symbol, Om.
The Pope had, in a recent pronouncement at St Peter's square in Vatican, spoken of St Thomas, the Apostle, seemingly taking away from him the traditional title 'Apostle of India'.
The present Pope, in a pronouncement at St Peter's Square in Vatican recently, spoke of St Thomas the apostle, seemingly taking away from him the traditional title 'Apostle of India'.
Three churches in the United States were named after Sister Alphonsa before she would be declared a saint by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12 in Vatican.
Mourners worldwide mark fourth anniversary of September 11 attacks
St Mary's Malankara Catholic Church at Chungam has a plaque bearing the name of Joseph Ratzinger, Archbishop of Munich, for donating 20,000 Deutschmarks, which was about Rs 80,000 at that time, for building the church in 1980.
"We join with our fellow citizens and millions around the world who pray for continued strength and wisdom as His Holiness leads the Catholic Church," Pope said.
The mass marked the high point of the first papal visit to the Arabian peninsula.
In a historic moment, Pope Francis met the grand imam of Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque at the Vatican.
Sinead O'Connor, the gifted Irish singer-songwriter, became a superstar in her mid-20s and was known as much for her private struggles and provocative actions as for her fierce and expressive music.
Hindu and Sikh leaders will share stage with Pope Francis during a prayer service in New York
The ringing of the bell accompanied the announcement.
Here's your weekly digest of the craziest stories from around the world.