Pope Benedict XVI failed to mention the child sex abuse scandal, which rocked the Roman Catholic Church, in his traditional Easter message in Rome.
On a historic visit to the Holy Land, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday, strongly condemned anti-Semitism and sought an early resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by finding a way that "people can live in security in a homeland of their own."
"The Holy See supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbours, within internationally recognised borders," the Pope, who arrived in Bethlehem on Wednesday amid tight security, said during a speech.
Seventy two-year-old Archbishop of Guwahati of Salesian Order Thomas Menamparampil has been asked by Pope Benedict XVI to prepare the meditation prayers for Way of the Cross, which the Papal Head himself will lead on Good Friday on April 10 at the Roman Colosseum.
"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.
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Nearly 10,000 people, mostly Keralite Christians, are expected to participate in the canonisation of Sister Alphonsa in Vatican on October 12.
His alias on Twitter is @OHHDL, which stands for 'The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,' sent out a welcome note on Saturday.
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Sikh leaders in the United States have declined an invitation to attend an inter-faith event during Pope Benedict's first visit to the country next month because they would not be allowed to carry their 'Kirpans' due to security reasons. The US Secret Service insisted that Sikh leaders attending the meeting with Pope Benedict XVI would have to come without the ceremonial daggers as required by their faith, The Washington Post reported.
A Kerala bishop who raised a storm following his decision to adopt a 39-year old woman as his daughter has been suspended.
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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.
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.
Hindu and Sikh leaders will share stage with Pope Francis during a prayer service in New York
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.
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 world famous Basilica of St Benedict in Norcia and other buildings have been destroyed, with the streets of the town now covered in rubble from the tremor.
The Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, supported by the Kashmir high court bar association, the Dukhtaran-e-Millat, traders and several other groups, gave the strike call.
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The Pope had made remarks while receiving India's envoy.
'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.
"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.
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This is the Pope's first visit to a predominantly Muslim nation.
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Police, however, denied the knife attack on Iqbal had taken place.
Pope Benedict said Iraq's celebration of its Asian Cup soccer victory was a sign of a people yearning for peace.
Tennis legend Roger Federer became the most decorated winner in the history of Laureus World Sports Awards after he won twin honours, his sixth, which includes the Sportsman and Comeback titles at the 18th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony, in Monaco.
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