Obama arrives at Vatican for meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, wife and daughters to join him

October 1st, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI to attend WWII concertVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI will attend a concert marking the 70th anniversary of the start of World War II being performed by young musicians from around the globe. The Vatican says the Oct.

September 19th, 2009 Pope: Bishops to discuss Middle East next yearVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has announced a special meeting of bishops next year to discuss Middle East peace efforts and the role of the Catholic Church in the region. Addressing bishops and patriarchs from Eastern rite churches, Benedict said Saturday that the meeting will take place Oct.

September 17th, 2009 Vatican sees end to tensions with Russian OrthodoxVATICAN CITY — Relations with the Russian Orthodox church have vastly improved, possibly paving the way for a papal visit to Moscow or a historic meeting between the pope and the Orthodox patriarch outside of Russia or the Vatican, a senior Vatican cardinal said Thursday. Cardinal Walter Kasper told Vatican Radio "we have overcome all the tensions in recent years." He spoke after meeting with Archbishop Hilarion, head of external relations for the Moscow patriarch's office.

July 27th, 2009 Vatican says pope fell looking for light switchROME — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI was looking for a light switch in the bedroom of his Alpine chalet when he tripped and broke his wrist while on vacation 10 days ago. Papal spokesman the Rev.

July 18th, 2009 Vatican: Pope learning to cope with castLES COMBES, Italy — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI spent a calm night after breaking his wrist in his Alpine vacation chalet and is learning to cope with the cast on his right arm. Vatican spokesman the Rev.

July 17th, 2009 Pope Benedict XVI fractures wrist in a fallVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI broke his right wrist in a fall during his vacation in the Italian Alps and is being treated in a local hospital, officials and the Vatican said Friday. The pope, 82, fell in his room in a chalet overnight and despite the accident, celebrated Mass and had breakfast before going to the hospital, a Vatican statement said.

July 17th, 2009 VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI was taken to a hospital in northern Italy on Friday after slipping and falling during his vacation in the Alps, a Vatican spokesman said. Benedict "slipped and got hurt" but "it doesn't seem to be serious," the Rev.

July 10th, 2009 Obama delivers letter to pope from Sen. KennedyVATICAN CITY — President Barack Obama has given Pope Benedict XVI a personal letter from ailing Sen.

July 10th, 2009 Obama meets with Pope Benedict XVIVATICAN CITY — President Barack Obama is meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Shaking hands with the pope, Obama said it was "a great honor" to meet him.

June 24th, 2009 Obama to visit pope during G-8 visitWASHINGTON — A White House spokesman says President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI will talk about their shared belief in the dignity of all people at their meeting next month. The White House on Wednesday said the two leaders would meet while Obama visits Italy for the G-8 summit.

June 24th, 2009 Obama to meet the pope while in Italy for G-8VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI and President Barack Obama will meet on July 10, a much-anticipated Vatican audience with a president under attack by some American bishops for his support of abortion rights. Vatican spokesman the Rev.

June 16th, 2009 Pope taps Ranjith to head Colombo archdioceseVATICAN CITY — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI has named a Vatican official, Monsignor Albert Malcolm Ranjith, to head the Colombo, Sri Lanka archdiocese. Ranjith takes the seat from the retiring Archbishop Oswald Thomas Colman Gomis at a delicate time in Sri Lanka's history, with a brutal 25-year civil war between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels ending last month.

June 5th, 2009 Pope meets with Irish churchmen after abuse reportVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI has met with Ireland's top churchmen following the publication of a damning report detailing decades of rapes, humiliation and beatings at church-run reform schools in Ireland. The Vatican says they briefed the pope on the report.

May 30th, 2009 Pope Benedict says he was surprised to be chosenVATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI says he was surprised when he was elected pontiff, but accepted the role even though the challenge seemed greater than his strength. Benedict was asked by a curious child at a Vatican audience with thousands of children on Saturday if he ever thought he would grow up to be come pontiff.

January 20th, 2009 VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI in a telegram has offered US President Barack Obama prayers that God may grant him 'unfailing wisdom and strength' in carrying out his new responsibilities. 'Under your leadership, may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society,' Benedict told Obama just a few hours before the inauguration ceremonies.