Benedict XVI has written an article for the Financial Times calling for "an examination of conscience" at Christmas. Pope Benedict has accepted the resignation of Chaldean Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly and called a synod in Rome on January 28 to elect his successor. The Italian bishops are supporting a campaign to repeal the country's liberal Sunday trading laws. The New York Times reports that artists, designers and poets are rediscovering the work of Benedictine monk Dom Sylvester Houédard. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia considers whether Thomas More was a "ruthless, sexually repressed rage addict" or a "humble and generous 'man for all seasons'”. Sociologist Peter Berger probes the deeper meaning of German president Joachim Gauck's audience with Pope Benedict earlier this month. And Cindy Wooden reports that Vatican employees are baffled by the disappearance of an ox and donkey from the press office's Nativity scene. Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.