Pope condemns religious persecution in Christmas address
Pope Francis roundly condemned jihadist violence and the "brutal persecution" of religious minorities in a Christmas message.
Pope calls for greater empathy in Christmas Eve mass
Pope Francis urged people to have greater empathy towards family and friends with problems in his Christmas Eve mass.
Pope leads global praise for 'historic' US-Cuba rapprochement
Pope Francis led a chorus of global plaudits for breakthrough in US-Cuban relations, hailed as "historic" in Europe and South America.
China's mountain hermits seek a highway to heaven
His unheated hut is half way up a mountain with no electricity, and his diet consists mostly of cabbage. But Master Hou says he has found a recipe for joy.
Pope calls on Muslim leaders to condemn Islamist terror
Pope Francis urged Muslim leaders worldwide to "clearly" condemn terrorism carried out in the name of Islam.
On Turkey trip, Pope to reach out to Islamic world
Pope Francis heads to Turkey with a brief to use his populist touch to rebuild bridges with the Islamic world that were damaged by his predecessor Benedict XVI.
Pope heads to Strasbourg to reinvigorate 'tired' Europe
Pope Francis heads to Strasbourg for a lightning visit to the European Parliament, where he hopes to help reinvigorate a "tired" Europe.
Kazakh professor asks Nazarbayev to protect a Sufi mausoleum from religious fanatics
A professor from Gumilyov Eurasian National University has asked President Nursultan Nazarbayev to protect the Mausoleum of famous Sufi scholar located at the territory for Kazakhstan from religious fanatics.
UK's Prince Charles warns of persecution of Christians
Britain's Prince Charles warned of a threat to Christians in the Middle East and urged the need for compassion between different faiths.
Headscarf ban in West Kazakhstan prevents girl from entering school
A six-year old girl in West Kazakhstan cannot go to school because of the ban on headwear in the school's charter. Parents of the girl filed a lawsuit citing the Constitution but lost. They are going to appeal.
Criticism, praise follows Catholic Church's gays decision
Activists lashed out at the Catholic Church's failure at a major synod to open its doors to gay people, but praised for getting bishops to confront "taboos."
Pope faces key test with vote on divorcees, gays
Pope Francis was set to sort his allies from his enemies with a Vatican vote on a document drafted opening the Catholic Church's doors to remarried divorcees and gays.
Clashes at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa ahead of Jewish holiday
Dozens of Palestinians protested against Jews visiting the flashpoint holy site ahead of a religious feast.
Two million Muslim pilgrims ending annual hajj
Two million Muslim pilgrims begin leaving the holy city of Mecca, concluding the annual hajj during which Saudi leaders lashed out at Islamic extremism.
Nursultan Nazarbayev congratules Kazakhstanis on Kurban Ait holiday
Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev has congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the Kurban Ait holiday.
Ebola casts heavy shadow over Sierra Leone's Eid celebrations
Don't pray too close to each other, observe strict hygiene rules and don't shake the imam's hand. For Muslims in Ebola-hit Sierra Leone, this was an Eid festival.
Tears, prayers as 2 million Muslims mark peak of hajj
Tears flowed and prayers filled the air as the annual Muslim hajj pilgrimage by almost two million believers from around the world reached its zenith.
Pope braced for marriage clash as world's bishops meet
Nice-guy Pope Francis looks set to have his mettle tested by his first mutiny in the ranks this weekend at a Catholic meeting.
Vatican's ex-ambassador to Kazakhstan stores thousands of child porn photos and videos
Former Vatican ambassador to Kazakhstan Jozef Wesolowski has kept over a hundred thousand child porn photos and over a hundred child porn videos on his computer.
Hard-line Myanmar monk to battle 'jihad threat'
A controversial Buddhist cleric from Myanmar announced he is linking up with hardline monks in Sri Lanka.