Twice during Holy Week liturgies, the pope was caught unawares when his aides spoke passionately about the barrage of criticism the pontiff has faced.
The Iraqi Council of Christian Church Leaders was pleased with the level of public participation in the recent elections.
L'Osservatore Romano hailed the new U.S.-Russia disarmament treaty on April 7 as a "significant and courageous step toward international security"
Vatican authorities emphasized that it was the pope who, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, pushed for harsher measures against abusers.
Palestinians are frustrated by excessive presence of Israeli police and numerous barricades during Holy Week.
A Vatican commission expressed the hope that bishops and priests deprived of freedom would be allowed to resume their pastoral ministry.
A German-born bishop who headed a prelature in Norway admitted that his resignation last year was linked to the sexual abuse of a minor.