Vatican

Vatican City  - Pope Benedict XVI broke with normal Vatican protocol Friday to welcome US President George W Bush for talks in a medieval tower.

The pontiff stood several minutes waiting for Bush in the Vatican gardens outside the Tower of St John - an unusual sight since normally it is guests who wait to be received by the pope.

Bush, accompanied by his wife Laura, arrived in a motorcade which made its way slowly through a tree-lined avenue after entering Vatican City.

Vatican City  - Pope Benedict XVI received Thursday a group of bishops from Bangladesh, urging them do more to help men and women in their country prepare for married life.

"Many of your people suffer from poverty, isolation or discrimination, and they look to you for spiritual guidance," Benedict told the prelates during a meeting at the Vatican.

Vatican City  - Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican City  - Pope Benedict XVI has composed a prayer for Catholics in China through which, among other things, they would seek inspiration to remain faithful to Rome.

The Vatican on Friday issued the prayer - in eight languages including traditional and simplified Chinese - saying the pontiff had penned it for the "Day of Prayer for the Church in China" scheduled for May 24.

Vatican City - A recording of Pope Benedict XVI reciting the Rosary in Latin