VATICAN CITY, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI will call together the world's cardinals to discuss topics ranging from clerical sex abuse to world religious freedom, the Vatican says.
The Catholic leader says the "day of reflection and prayer" will take place Nov. 19 at the Vatican's synod hall a day before he presides over an assembly to appoint 24 new cardinals, the Catholic News Service reported Monday.
The pontiff's agenda begins with a morning discussion led by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican secretary of state, on religious freedom in the world followed by a talk on "Liturgy in the life of the church today."
The afternoon session will include hear Cardinal William J. Levada's address: "The response of the church to cases of clerical sex abuse."
Benedict has urged the church to undergo penitence, humility and "sincerity" to restore trust, the news service said.
