A massive gathering in Rome has expressed support for Pope Benedict and his leadership amid the ongoing abuse scandals.

At least 150,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square last weekend, joined with the sole aim of demonstrating their support and backing for the Pontiff against the multitude of media attacks levelled against him in recent months.

Accepting an invitation from Consulta delle aggregazioni laicali (Lay Associations Council), members of associations and movements converged on St Peter's Square, bringing with them banners and signs proclaiming their solidarity at a time of crisis for the Church internationally. Such was the presence in the square that many could get no closer than the nearby Via della Conciliazione.

For his part, Pope Benedict offered his warmest thanks to the cheering crowds, praying with them before proclaiming: ''We Christians are not afraid of the world, even if we must guard ourselves against its seductive power. Instead, we must fear sin and for this, we must be strongly rooted in God, be one with what is good, with love and service.''

He added that he was buoyed by the gathering that showed ''the affection and deep closeness of the Church and the Italian people to the Pope and your priests who take care of you on a daily basis, for through a commitment to spiritual and moral renewal we can better serve the Church, the People of God and all those who turn to use with confidence''.

Vatican

Pope's second book ready

The Pope's second book on Jesus of Nazareth has been submitted to publishers. According to the Holy See, the latest book, due for an English translation within months, deals with the Passion and Resurrection, following neatly from the first book on the public ministry of Jesus.

Italy

Pope plot duo are deported

Two Moroccan students have been deported for allegedly planning to target the Pope for assassination.

The pair, who were studying in the city of Perugia came to police attention when their phone conversations were intercepted by authorities investigating their Islamist views.

In these conversations, Mohammed Hlal was heard to state that he was ''ready to assassinate him (the Pope) to earn a place in Paradise'' while the pair expressed an interest in obtaining bomb-making material. The pair were subsequently expelled as threats to national security.

Germany

Case closed against bishop

A sexual abuse investigation into the former Bishop of Ausburg, who resigned amid allegations of physical abuse of children last month, has been dropped.

A case file on Bishop Walter Mixa had been submitted to prosecutors shortly after Pope Benedict received the bishop's resignation, but the case has now been closed due to a lack of evidence. Though Bishop Mixa conceded he may have previously slapped children after earlier denials, he has always denied any sexual abuse.

Israel

Sea of Galilee fishing ban

The government of Israel has placed a two-year ban on fishing in the Sea of Galilee due to dwindling fish stocks.

According to reports, up to 80 per cent of fish pulled from the water in recent years have been under legal size limits, placing a strain on stocks. A measure of the damage wrought is contained in figures that show that while 300 tonnes of fish were caught in 2005, by 2009, that figure had dropped to eight tonnes.

The government has promised financial assistance to fishermen affected by the ban, and to oversee a regrowth in fish numbers. The ban will not affect popular pilgrim boats travelling the Sea of Galilee.

United States

Historic appointment

For the first time in US history, there will be no Protestant representative among the judges making up the Supreme Court if the anticipated confirmation of Obama-nominated Elena Kagan is received.

Kagan, who is Jewish, looks set to join two others of her faith alongside six Catholic justices. The issue has barely drawn comment, however, as ideology has all but ousted religion in terms of key factors determining appointments.

''Even though the court still has church-state issues to decide with some regularity, and even though those issues tend to deeply divide the court, there is no strong perception that there is a Protestant point of view or a Catholic or Jewish one,'' said law lecturer Stephen Wermiel of the American University.

Venezuela

Arrests in priest killing

Police investigating the April murder of Fr Stephen Wood have arrested three suspects. The elderly priest was stabbed to death in what is believed to have been a robbery at his apartment in the city of Puerto Ordaz. His body was discovered bound and gagged by parishioners who became concerned by his absence from morning Mass. The three suspects are expected to face charges in relation to the killing.

Iraq

Call for UN to probe killings

Archbishop George Casmoussa, the Syrian Catholic Archbishop of Mosul has issued a call for the United Nations to investigate the wave of anti-Christian violence affecting the city.

''We need the government to guarantee us protection against those who want to eliminate us,'' the archbishop said. ''After numerous attacks and violence, I have called for the intervention of the United Nations - not for a new military contingent, but to initiate an investigation that determines who is behind these continued acts of violence against Christians.''