The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI would gladly use a solar-powered electric popemobile as another sign of his efforts to promote sustainable energy and take care of the planet, but one has yet to be offered.

The Roman Catholic bishop of a central Chinese city has denied speculation that he was secretly named a cardinal by Pope John Paul II, a Hong Kong newspaper reported today.

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.