Rome Reports: Benedict XVI and Cardinal Marc Ouellet open Americas conference at the Vatican


Zenit: Pope Benedict Addresses International Congress on "Ecclesia in America"
Calls on Participants to Focus on Problems Due to Secularism
Pope's Address to Participants of "Ecclesia In America" International Congress [2012-12-10]
Cardinal Ouellet Presides Over Opening Mass of International Congress on "Ecclesia in America"
Three Day Congress Will Focus on Evangelization in North and South America
Cardinal Ouellet's Homily at Opening Mass of the International Congress on "Ecclesia in America" [2012-12-10]

Rome Reports: Pope honors Our Lady on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception


Zenit: Pope Venerates Image of Virgin Mary on Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Traditional Tribute Takes Place in Rome
Pope's Immaculate Conception Address at the Spanish Steps
"Mary Immaculate Teaches Us to Listen to the Voice of God that Speaks in Silence" [2012-12-09]

The Christian Origins of Islam by Peter J. Leithart

Dr. Leithart refers to Christoph Luxenberg's The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran and to a collection of essays, The Hidden Origins of Islam.