Pope Benedict XVI

Once dominated by the Catholic Church and its bans, the Irish now lead the way in the use of birth control

He didn’t foresee the long-running sex abuse scandal suddenly igniting, but the Pope showed surprising openness in dealing with it

FESCHUK: In the throes of a serious shortage, the Church tries out some new strategies

A renowned lawyer makes the case that the Pope should have his day in court for harbouring pedophiles

Spreading the word: The Pope wants to tackle the ‘process of secularization’

Cardinal sins: Kickbacks for cheap real estate?

Benedict faces tough questions about the Church’s sex abuse scandal

Newsmakers of the week

John McCain’s mom talks back, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy criticizes the pope, and Woody Allen sues American Apparel

The best pics of the last seven days