In Jerusalem Christian churches are united for dialogue on their status

The sudden resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, the first time a Pontiff has voluntarily left office for almost 600 years, has thrown the Catholic world into turmoil and comes at a difficult time for the Church as it struggles to assert its authority in a secular world and contain the unfolding scandal of child sex abuse by priests who were sheltered by the Church from prosecution.

Clashes between Christians and Muslims are growing all along the boundary between the two religions, from Nigeria to Indonesia.