Establishing ties between the Vatican and China will enable the Holy See to work with the government for the good of the Chinese people, says Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Christmas Midnight Mass in the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica with an appeal for abused children around the world, including child soldiers, beggars and others deprived of sustenance and love.

Cardinal Joseph Zen of HK says he believes it is time for the Vatican to change its strategy with China and take a more uncompromising line as it works toward establishing diplomatic relations with the communist country.

The visit by the leader of 1.1 billion Roman Catholics was meant to be a
mostly Christian event but it has taken on wider ramification in Western-
Islamic relations, Catholic-Muslim relations and Turkey’s own desire to
be part of Europe.

24 priests, religious and laypeople were killed in 2006 while carrying out their missionary work—just one person less than
2005’s figure.
The Vatican missionary agency published the report on deaths, not only for missionaries but also of all the ecclesiastical
personnel who died violently or sacrificed their live, aware of the risk they faced, rather than abandon their commitment to
give witness and engage in the apostolate.

Pope Benedict XVI successfully completed his top objective in Istanbul, joined Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in celebrating one of the most solemn feast in the Orthodox calendar.
Both the Ecumenical Patriarch and Holy Father offered words, Pope recommitted himself, during his homily seeking the reunification of the two Churches.

In the wake of the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, the Vatican reaffirmed its condemnation of the death
penalty.
The head of the Vatican press office, Father Lombardi told the media that hanging Saddam Hussein was “tragic and occasion
for sorrow.” He expressed concern that the execution might “fuel the spirit revenge” in Iraq.

Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque, the largest and beautiful in Istanbul, as a public gesture of his esteem for Muslim faithful.
“We hope to find together paths of peace and fraternity to help humanity,” the Pope said when thanking the Grand Mufti of Istanbul, for allowing him to make the visit.

he Holy Father said that he is “profoundly convinced that peace is promoted by respecting the person.”
The Pope said that peace is not only a gift but also a task, a “gift that must be invoked with prayer, a task that must be carried out with courage, without ever tiring.”

Benedict XVI hopes that the “unforgettable experience” of his trip to Turkey will contribute to further cooperation and dialogue with Orthodox Christians and followers of Islam.