Anne Thomas

• Taliban threatens Pope with 'severe reaction' ahead of Middle East visit

  The Taliban has warned Pope Benedict XVI that he will feel “the consequences of a severe reaction” if Christianity is allowed to be preached in Afghanistan. The Pope is due to begin his tour of the Middle East today and will meet King Abdullah on his visit to Jordan, before heading to Israel.

• Pope to be 'pilgrim of peace' in Middle East

  The Pope says he is visiting the Middle East as a “pilgrim of peace” and that he wants the visit to “bear much fruit” not only for Christians in the area but Jews and Muslims as well.

• Cardinal calls on Berlusconi to set a better example

  The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has been criticised by a senior figure in the Vatican for setting a bad example. Berlusconi, 72, is currently embroiled in a public divorce with his wife who accuses him of being too friendly with young girls and women.

• African Archbishop backs Pope's condom comments

  The Roman Catholic Church’s most senior cleric in Nigeria has come out in support of the Pope following his recent comments against the use of contraception.

• Court overturns first Greek gay 'weddings'

  A court in Greece has overturned the country’s first “homosexual weddings”, which took place last year as a result of a legal loophole.

• Methodist charity to help people make their mark

  The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is to host a series of conferences this summer aimed at helping people do their part to change the world.

• Men want more anthems and less hugging in church

  A new survey has suggested that men who go to church would like less hugging and holding hands and more singing of anthems and “proclamational” songs.

• Israel expecting tourism boost from Pope's visit

  Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Holy Land next week is expected to boost the number of Catholics visiting Israel this year, says the Israeli Tourism Miniser Stas Meseznikov.

• Paintings of churches not allowed at London hospital

  A council in London has received complaints after artists were encouraged to contribute paintings for a local hospital, but were disallowed from submitting paintings of churches.

• Christian man freed after eight years in Libyan prison

  A Christian man from Ghana has been released from a Libyan prison eight years after being imprisoned for distributing Christian literature.

• Western world hit by 'recession’ in Christianity, says Kirk council

  The Church of Scotland’s World Mission Council is suggesting that the Western world needs to be converted amid a “recession” in Christianity.

• Brazilian president promises anti-homophobia law

  The President of Brazil, Luiz Lula, has criticised Christian groups in the country and has promised to continue pressing for a law that will make homophobia a crime.