The Vatican has been hit by further controversy with an Italian newspaper publishing documents claiming that Pope Benedict’s butler was not the only person in possession of confidential correspondence.

Pope Benedict XVI has broken his silence over the leaked documents scandal that has convulsed the Vatican, saying he was saddened by the betrayal but grateful to those aides who work faithfully and in silence to help him do his job.

The Pope’s butler has been arrested in its embarrassing leaks scandal, adding a Hollywood twist to an already remarkable tale of power struggles, intrigue and corruption in the highest levels of Catholic Church governance.

ITALY is airlifting 26 Iraqis injured in a militant attack on one of Baghdad’s main Catholic churches to Rome for treatment.

The Vatican's foreign minister arrived in Cuba to discuss the island's economic plight, and rights activists hope his visit may get more political prisoners freed or at least moved to jails closer to home.

Gay rights campaigners in Britain today rejected reported claims by the Vatican’s second-in-command that child sex abuse by priests is linked to homosexuality.

President Mary McAleese departs tomorrow on a five-day visit to Belgium and Italy ahead of a meeting with the Pope.

President McAleese is paying a state visit to Belgium and Italy next week ahead of a meeting with the Pope.

An Iraqi insurgent group has threatened the Vatican with a suicide attack over the Pope’s remarks on Islam, according to a statement posted on the internet.

Pope Benedict XVI is “extremely upset” that Muslims have been offended by some of his words in a recent speech in Germany, the Vatican said today.

IT had all the hallmarks of a political campaign: the candidate was shaking hands in the adoring crowd, a television crew and security detail covering his every move.