The BBC's David Willey in Rome says that after the prayer recital on Sunday the Pope plans to spend the rest of the week on a Lenten prayer retreat closeted inside the Apostolic Palace with senior cardinals and bishops.

BBC: Pope Benedict blessing: Tens of thousands hear prayer

It is massive, offering up the prospect of two derby games inside a week - two encounters that could conceivably shape Liverpool's season.

BBC: Alan Hansen's column

His plumbers (five call-outs a week) got the whole inside back cover of a recent issue.

ECONOMIST: Ukraine’s merchant adventurer | The

Now, for a recap of this week's news from inside the Beltway, we go to NPR Senior Correspondent Juan Williams in our Political Corner.

NPR: Black Caucus Mulls Iraq Troop Withdrawal

Inside, red curtains hang over the stage which features a different local avant-garde act every night of the week.

BBC: The City of Light becomes the city of design

Although Muhammad al-Hakim, its leader (and the son of a well-known grand ayatollah), claims to have a significant guerrilla network inside Iraq, last week's events show he cannot capitalise on Shia unrest.

ECONOMIST: Iraq��s opposition: No aid yet for Saddam’s foes | The

Ebbsfleet are now preparing to play Boreham Wood twice inside eight days - firstly in the league on Saturday and then a week later in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.

BBC: Ebbsfleet United season start pleases Liam Daish