Barbara Serra, based in London. has reported from across Europe and the Middle East for Al Jazeera.
She has recently travelled with Pope Benedict XVI on his trip to the Middle East in May 2009. She is a regular press contributor in her native Italy and was a Sky News correspondent before joining Al Jazeera.
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%">Under construction since 1882, </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%">the Sagrada Familia church has be</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%">en slow work, but Barcelona’s main attraction still remains unfinished as Pope Benedict 16th </SPAN>visits the church to consecrate it as a basilica.</P>
<P>Despite Jerome Kerviel's losses being apparently unintentional, and the fact that he did not redistribute the $5.85bn he caused his bank to lose to the poor, the "rogue trader" is seen by many in France as a Robin Hood figure.</P>
<p>Italian politics is never boring, but in recent days it’s taken a turn for the surreal.</p>
<p>Silvio Berlusconi not only wins continued support of electorate for alleged misdeeds, but the respect of a prestigious music magazine.</p>
<p>Leaders for the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches have met for the first time since the Vatican unveiled plans to target Anglicans for conversion.</p>