Language problem hits papal decree

Pope Benedict XVI has formally created a new Vatican office to revive Christianity in Europe – his latest attempt to counter secular trends in traditionally Christian countries. But even on its first day, the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation ran into an all-too-typical Vatican snag: the four-page decree instituting the department was issued in only Latin and Italian.

Asked how the Pope expected to bring the Church's message to the world in relatively unknown languages, the head of the new office, Monsignor Rino Fisichella, said he was not responsible for how the decree was issued.