A Vatican spokesman dismissed reports that the Holy See has rejected several candidates because of their support for legal abortion.

Pope Benedict XVI called for all nations to end the production, stockpiling and use of land mines and cluster bombs.

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham, England (left), as archbishop of Westminster.

The Belgian parliament voted overwhelmingly to condemn "the unacceptable stance taken by the pope" on condoms and AIDS.

The new regulations are considered one of the toughest sets of limitations on capital punishment in the nation.

The arrest of a Chinese 74-year-old bishop was "unfortunately not an isolated case," the Vatican said.