Pope Benedict XVI's sudden abdication of the papacy has far-reaching consequences for world affairs. They extend beyond theological divisions in the Church and thorny liturgical and eschatological issues to a potentially sharpened confessional rivalry between Islamic extremism and Christianity.

Ady Jean Gardy, the Minister of Communication gave few details on the issues addressed by the Head of State, with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. "[...] This meeting was of paramount importance for Haiti [...] today, the Episcopal Conference is currently managing the issue of Concordat laws, you know that we have a concordat between Haiti and the Vatican since 1860, Haiti has renounced its Concordat rights since 1982.

The Assisi gathering, held on the 25th anniversary of a historic initiative in favor of peace hosted by John Paul in 1986, this time did not include common prayer among the delegates...In fact... the delegates were withdrawing to various rooms around the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels

The pontifical council for the promotion of the new evangelisation represents a significant benchmark to measure the Vatican's capability to regain some influence in what was once "its" Europe...It has to fight against what the Vatican perceives as "the supremacy of the fragments": a cultural approach which tends to isolate and disperse western societies, and by consequence also Catholics: a sort of "grassroots relativism".

The four-day tour...was dogged by controversy and protest. Demonstrations in central Berlin were a reminder that among Germany's 24.6 million-strong Catholic community a sense of shock and betrayal lingers from last year's revelation of hundreds of cases of sexual and physical abuse of children by German priests and church employees.

The Vatican - once the world’s premier art patron - is again reaching out to artists, organizing an exhibit of contemporary works. Sixty living artists, including two Americans, were invited to reflect on the theme of truth and charity. The exhibit is part of the Vatican’s bid to reconcile with contemporary art.

Pope Benedict XVI has tweeted for the first time, announcing the launch of a Vatican news information portal. Benedict’s tweet on Tuesday read: “Dear Friends, I just launched News.va Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI”.

The German-born pontiff has condemned rampant consumerism and bemoaned the abuse of the planet's resources in speeches, encyclicals and during overseas trips. He has warned that humanity risks destroying the planet's ecosystems unless it listens to "the voice of the earth".