News bits (9/20/07)

CWNews, "Cardinal Bertone reflects on 1st year as Secretary of State":

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who completed his first year as Vatican Secretary of State on September 15, told the Italian daily Avvenire that he has no desire to lead the Church himself, but seeks simply to serve the needs of Pope Benedict XVI.

CNS, "Vatican: Pope's refusal to meet Rice should not be seen as snub":

Pope Benedict XVI declined to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during his August vacation, but Vatican officials said it should not be interpreted as a diplomatic snub."

The only reason she wasn't received was that she came during a period when the pope doesn't receive anyone. It was a purely technical question of protocol," an informed Vatican source told Catholic News Service Sept. 20.

CNA, "Hundreds witness miracle of St. Januarius in Naples":

As has occurred every year for the last 400 years, the liquification of the blood of St. Januarius took place in the city of Naples on the martyr’s feast day of September 19.