In the past, women were allowed to attend the synods, a papal advisory body, as auditors but with no right to vote.
The daughter of a Vatican usher whose family lived in the Vatican, Orlandi, then 15, failed to return home on June 22, 1983 following a music lesson in Rome.
A carpet of 38,000 flowers donated by the Netherlands bedecked the square for the most important and joyous date in the Church's liturgical calendar.
The pope, who marked the 10th anniversary of his pontificate earlier this month, has suffered a number of ailments in recent years.
The Pope called for women to be "protected, respected, valued, and honored."
Israel is using all possible methods to bring citizens out of Gaza and back to safety in Israel.
A significant example of Benedict’s positive impact on Jewish-Christian relations is evident in his position on the issue of proselytizing.
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