Pope Benedict XVI used his Easter Sunday message to urge the Syrian regime to heed international calls to end bloodshed and commit to dialogue.

Pope Benedict XVI urged an end to fighting in Libya and called for diplomacy, using his Easter Sunday message to call for peace in the Middle East.

The Pope urged loyal Catholics in China to have courage in the face of communist limits on religious freedom and conscience in a Christmas Day message highlighting the tensions between Beijing and the Vatican.

POPE BENEDICT XVI kept mum on paedophile priest scandals rocking the Roman Catholic Church during his Easter Mass yesterday, as Christians across the world marked the resurrection of Christ.