Pope Benedict XVI told cardinals today that he does not feel alone while at the helm of a “wounded and sinner” church, the Vatican newspaper reported.

FOR most faithful Catholics, the Easter speeches in defence of Pope Benedict were a welcome breath of fresh air and not a moment too soon.

A senior cardinal defended Pope Benedict XVI from “petty gossip” today as the pontiff maintained his silence on mounting sex abuse cover-up accusations during his Easter message.

Pope Benedict XVI is considering visiting Israel in the first part of 2007, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres said today after meeting with the pontiff at the Vatican.

Pope Benedict XVI was today expected to meet with former Israeli prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres at the Vatican.

ARCHBISHOP of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin has described claims that he’s going to Rome to take up a senior position in the Curia as “a pure invention”.

ROYALTIES for Pope Benedict XVI’s writings and speeches? The Italian publishing world is aghast.

Rescuers scoured an Amazon jungle marsh today, searching for more bodies as they sifted through the wreckage of a Peruvian airliner that crashed while making an emergency landing in a hailstorm, killing at least 41 people.

Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram of condolence today to Indian officials following the country's devastating monsoon, saying he was praying for the hundreds of victims as well as those involved in the massive relief and rebuilding effort.

Pope Benedict XVI was “deeply saddened” by the killing of a Roman Catholic bishop in Kenya this week and expressed hope the prelate’s death would “hasten the dawn” of peace and reconciliation in the African country, the Vatican said today.

Pope Benedict XVI today said he deplored the “terrorist attacks” in London, calling them “barbaric acts against humanity”, and said he was praying for the families of the victims.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to travel to the Vatican today for a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will not make a direct invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ireland when he is received for a private audience in the Vatican this morning.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will travel to Rome this week to meet Pope Benedict XVI.

POPE Benedict XVI will receive Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in private audience next Thursday, the Government disclosed yesterday.

MORE THAN half a million people are expected to gather in St Peter’s Square tomorrow for the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI.

POPE Benedict XVI held his first working meeting with the College of Cardinals yesterday as authorities began gearing up for the influx of dignitaries and 500,000 faithful expected for the Pope’s inauguration tomorrow.

POPE Benedict XVI confirmed Cardinal Angelo Sodano in the Vatican's No 2 post yesterday and kept all other top officials, avoiding any immediate shake-up in the late John Paul II's administration.

Housekeepers, car drivers and other people with access to cardinals during the conclave took an oath of secrecy yesterday, promising never to reveal the details behind the selection of the next pope.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, celebrated a Mass for the repose of Pope John Paul II’s soul today on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, calling on the tens of thousands of people gathered there to pray for “our beloved John Paul".

WITH the health of Pope John Paul II rapidly deteriorating, Church officials are bracing themselves for the dramatic changes that will come at the Vatican with the Pontiff’s death.

POPE John Paul appeared at his window to bless the faithful on Easter Sunday but in a dramatic episode that brought tears to the eyes of many, he failed in his attempt to speak.

Pope John Paul II’s third appearance at a hospital window raised hopes among the Roman Catholic faithful that the Vatican would set a firm date for his release today in its latest medical update.

Pope John Paul II made a surprise appearance from a hospital window in Rome today, waving to the faithful just after a top Vatican official on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica read a statement from the pontiff asking for prayers.

Ailing Pope John Paul II was rushed to hospital for the second time in a month today and a medical expert suggested he is suffering from bacterial pneumonia – a serious illness in an 84-year-old man.

The Pope will leave hospital tonight, the Vatican said, declaring the 84-year-old pontiff “cured” of the illness that landed him in a Rome clinic for 10 days and rekindled questions about his ability to carry on as head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope John Paul will leave hospital today, the Vatican announced.

ROMAN Catholic faithful prayed for Pope John Paul's recovery yesterday as he missed out on Ash Wednesday prayers that ushered in the solemn and sacred Lenten season for the first time in his 26-year papacy.

Ailing Pope John Paul II will miss out on today’s Ash Wednesday prayers that usher in the Lenten period – a first in his 26-year papacy.

THE Pope can still run the Catholic Church even if he is unable to speak, a senior Vatican figure claimed yesterday.

A senior Vatican official has responded to a sensitive question that many Roman Catholics have been asking: Would ailing Pope John Paul II ever consider stepping down?

SPECULATION increased last night that the Pope may consider resigning, as it emerged that he came within minutes of death last week.

POPE John Paul II vowed yesterday to continue his mission despite his latest health crisis, telling the faithful from the hospital in a message read by an archbishop that he was grateful for their prayers and affection.

Pope John Paul II was strong enough to turn the pages of written greetings today and speak in a clear voice, according to an Italian bishop who called on him in his hospital room.

Pope John Paul II’s flu and breathing problems are improving and he is eating regular food, the Vatican said, without giving specifics on when the frail, 84-year-old pontiff might leave the hospital or resume his regular activities.

POPE JOHN PAUL’S condition is improving and he is expected to make his weekly address from his hospital bed on Sunday, the Vatican said yesterday.

Pope John Paul II was responding well to treatment after being taken to a Rome hospital with breathing problems brought on by the flu, the Vatican said.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern met with the Pope today during celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See.

Pope John Paul II today denounced the “imbalance” between the world’s rich and poor and applauded efforts to eliminate hunger, like the recent UN initiative to increase funds for development.

AILING Pope John Paul II was forced to miss his weekly public audience in the Vatican yesterday because of “intestinal problems”.

Pope John Paul II is suffering from ”intestinal problems” and cancelled his general audience today, a Vatican official said.

An increasingly frail Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass for 200,000 faithful today, completing a gruelling four-day pilgrimage that raised fresh doubts about his ability to keep travelling.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell met with Pope John Paul II yesterday for discussions on Iraq, the Middle East and Africa, although little has emerged on the tenor of their talks.

POPE John Paul II opened the new year yesterday