I dont understand or see the importance this has been given on world news.

The Pope is no longer a guiding hand as I see it. the Pope is nothing more than the 'religious' face of Catholocism. A quick interent search will show you that the church as whole is more interested in its 'business' side and business speak is used on a lot of their sites.
The 'Church' is one of the richest institutions if not THE richest in the world. It could quite easily wipe out Third World debt on its own and still be immensely rich and powerful, yet sits back using the tactics as Rocknut explained above.

I am not against anyone believeing what they want to believe. Everyone has the right to free choice in what they choose to believe spiritually. To me though I am with a growing number of people that dont understand in this day and age how anyone can truly believe in a 'god' and how institutions like the Catholic church preach nothing but hypocrisy.

Those are my opinions though and if you find comfort in organised religion, all power to you.

Andy