While paying tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, as expected, British church leaders are among those signalling an expectation of change in the papacy.

While Christians should indeed examine social and cultural changes critically, the fearfulness of the Pope about shifting attitudes to gender and sexual orientation seems excessive, says Savitri Hensman. Christmas should be a time of celebration in response to God’s generous love, through which barriers are broken down and humanity’s potential fulfilled.

His trip to Cuba will be the pontiff's second visit to Latin America, home to almost half of the world's Catholics. Benedict XVI visited Brazil in 2007.

Pope Benedict XVI met with Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council at the Vatican yesterday, discussing the continent's future.