Our Takes Daily

Chinese orchestra to play Mozart for pope

The Los Angeles Times

In a move that could herald warmer relations between the Vatican and Beijing, the China Philharmonic Orchestra will perform for Pope Benedict XVI next week at the Vatican. The Beijing-based orchestra, along with the Shanghai Opera House Chorus, will perform Mozart's "Requiem" for the pope at Paul VI Audience Hall, people familiar with the plans said. It wasn't clear how much the concert would help the Vatican and Beijing move toward reconciliation, but Pope Benedict has made the improvement of relations with Beijing a priority of his papacy, hoping to secure greater freedom for Chinese Catholics. More info here>>

Controversial pastor praises pope

The Washington Times

The Rev. James Hagee, pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, is not known for his warm relationship with Catholics. Yet in this essay, he praises Pope Benedict XVI on his moral vision for America and the world. More info here>>

World Bank head calls food crisis man-made

The Pakistan Dawn

World Bank chief  Robert B. Zoellick said on Tuesday that 100 million people have already been pushed into poverty due to a man-made food crisis while as many as 2 billion are on the verge of disaster. “This is not a natural disaster,” he said after attending a meeting of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in Berne, Switzerland  “Make no mistake; there is nothing natural about this. But for millions of people it is a disaster.” More info here>>

Today’s podcast

Al Kresta, host of “Kresta in the Afternoon,” interviews Deacon Alex Jones, a former Pentecostal minister who led his congregation into the Catholic Church, about his new book, “No Price Too High.” More info here>>