Pope Benedict XVI has denounced the "ferocious" attack on a Baghdad Catholic church and called for renewed international efforts to broker peace in the region. Benedict said two priests were among the estimated 52 people killed after militants took an entire congregation hostage at the Our Lady of Deliverance church. Iraqi security forces stormed the church, but it wasn't clear if the dead were killed during the initial hostage-taking or the rescue effort.
Pope Benedict XVI called for new international and national efforts to end violence.