Pope opens meeting of Roman Catholic bishops

Pope Benedict XVI opened a three-week meeting of the world’s bishops with a Mass today in St Peter’s Basilica, inaugurating his first major Vatican event since being elected.

Some in the pews clapped when Benedict, dressed in bright green vestments, passed by, preceded by the more than 250 bishops, cardinals, heads of religious orders and others from about 118 countries who will take part in the Synod of Bishops.