An Israeli Jewish leader has welcomed Pope Benedict's support for a statement condemning Holocaust denial, but a German leader says the issue of the reinstatement of an anti-Semitic bishop is not resolved.

Pope Benedict says he has full solidarity with Jewish people and warns against Holocaust denial, following outrage at his reinstatement of an excommunicated bishop who says there were no gas chambers.

Pope Benedict XVI is among the wide range of religious leaders sending messages of welcome and blessing to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States following his inauguration.

Pope Benedict XVI has attacked the "unbridled pursuit of wealth and short term profit" as the root cause of poverty and the global food crisis at the expense of "the common good".

Auxililary Catholic Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn Pat Power has expressed concern that Pope Benedict's recent comments on homosexuality have hurt the gay and lesbian community and damaged the church's standing.

The Vatican sought to up its green credentials this week by switching on its massive electricity generating solar panels on the Pope Paul VI Hall. The development is one of a series of intended environmental initiatives.

An inaugural Roman Catholic-Muslim Forum has affirmed the right of individuals and communities to practise their religion in private and in public, while also rejecting terrorism in the name of religion.

The Pope has received a delegation of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultation with which the Holy See says “for over thirty years has contributed to understanding and acceptance between Catholics and Jews”.

Commenting on the theme of World Tourism Day 2008 - "Tourism: Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change" - the Pope says humanity has the duty to protect the earth's resources and commit itself against exploitation.

Senior representatives of the Vatican have used the annual Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue message to Muslims for the end of the month of Ramadan to urge the two faiths to work together in promoting family life.