Pontiff keeps faith with Vatican old guard

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.

It was a sign that the new pope, a doctrinal hard-liner, wants to show continuity with the popular John Paul.

Later yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI made another stop at his apartment across the street from the Vatican walls.