Roman Catholic cardinals gather under the gaze of Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" on Tuesday to elect a new pope to tackle the daunting problems facing the 1.2-billion-member Church. The secret conclave, steeped in ritual and prayer, could carry on for several days, with no clear favorite in sight to take over the reins from Pope Benedict, who abdicated last month saying he was not strong enough to confront ...

Pope Benedict XVI has appealed for an immediate end to what he called "terrorist attacks" against Christians in Nigeria and urged all sides to avoid reprisals. The Pope at his weekly general audience on Wednesday expressed his concern on the persistent suicide and bomb attacks on Churches saying, "I am following with deep concern the news from Nigeria, where terrorist attacks are continuing especially again ...

Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday appealed for peace in the world's trouble spots during his Easter message, but one of the holiest days for Christians was marred by fresh violence in Nigeria and Syria. Speaking before a crowd of 100,000 in Vatican City's St. Peter's Square, the pope called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria where fighting continues to claim lives. "Particularly in Syria, may there be an end to ...