Pope marks first Christmas as crowds flock to BethlehemPope Francis held his first Christmas Eve mass in the Vatican on Tuesday by highlighting the role played by humble shepherds in the Nativity, as thousands flocked to the historic site of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem.
25 December 2013
UN women's rights resolution passed despite backlashA UN General Assembly committee has agreed a landmark first resolution on women's rights defenders such as Malala Yousafzai, despite a hard fought campaign by an alliance including the Vatican to weaken the measure.
28 November 2013
Pope says Church should rid itself of 'worldliness'Pope Francis on Friday called for the Catholic Church and its faithful to rid themselves of earthly concerns like St Francis of Assisi during a pilgrimage to the saint's Italian hometown.
07 October 2013
Obama says he admires pontiff's inclusive spiritPresident Barack Obama had warm words Wednesday for what he sees as Pope Francis' inclusive attitude in recent remarks urging the Roman Catholic church not to focus only on abortion or gays.
03 October 2013
Pope leads fasting and prayer day for Syria The Catholic Church has called for a global day of fasting and prayer on Saturday for peace in Syria and against any armed intervention, with Pope Francis scheduled to host a mass vigil on St Peter's Square.
Pope Francis: 'Who am I to judge' gays?Pope Francis reached out to gays on Monday, declaring that it is not his place to judge them -- while also condemning the Vatican's reported gay lobby as a "serious problem".
30 July 2013
Vatican envoy apologises to Malaysia over 'Allah' row The Vatican's first-ever envoy to Malaysia has apologised for supporting the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims after he was summoned by the foreign minister.
17 July 2013
Brazil unrest could flare anew during papal visit Brazil's social turmoil over poor public services and endemic political corruption appears to have abated but could flare again during Pope Francis' visit later this month.
06 July 2013
Vatican urges dialogue in crisis-hit Venezuela The Roman Catholic Church weighed in Sunday on Venezuela's political crisis, with Pope Francis expressing deep concern and calling for dialogue in the wake of a disputed presidential election.
22 April 2013
Pope completes installation with emotional Rome mass Pope Francis on Sunday completed his installation as pontiff at an emotional ceremony in which he formally took possession of Rome's St John Lateran basilica -- the official seat of the city's bishop.
08 April 2013
Pope urges determined action against sex abuse Pope Francis has given his first pronouncement on the Catholic Church's pervasive paedophile priest scandal, urging Vatican disciplinarians to act "with determination" against the scourge.
06 April 2013
Pope prays for peace in Syria, Korea on first Easter Pope Francis prayed for a "political solution" in Syria and for "reconciliation" on the Korean peninsula in his first Easter Sunday message in front of a crowd in St Peter's Square.
01 April 2013
Pope to celebrate first Easter vigil Pope Francis is to celebrate his first Easter vigil on Saturday after praying for peace in the Middle East and stronger Christian-Muslim dialogue at a torch-lit ceremony for Good Friday.
31 March 2013
Pope marks first Good Friday with torch-lit ceremony Pope Francis marked his first Good Friday with a traditional torch-lit ceremony around the Colosseum in Rome and prayers for a Middle East "torn apart by injustice and conflicts".
30 March 2013
Pope to stamp personal touch on Easter celebrations Pope Francis will stamp his personal touch on Easter celebrations starting by washing the feet of young prisoners on Thursday as he stresses the importance of reaching out to those in need.
28 March 2013
Pope sets out on mission to 'embrace the poorest' Pope Francis has donned the symbols of papal power, vowing to embrace the "poorest" at a grand inauguration in the Vatican as leader of a troubled Roman Catholic Church.
20 March 2013
Taiwan row a first diplomatic test for Pope Francis China's angry reaction to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's attendance at the inauguration of Pope Francis on Tuesday is the first taste of a long-running dispute..
19 March 2013
Sparks of humour in Pope Francis's first days Starting with the historic moment when the first Latin American pontiff greeted the crowds in St Peter's Square after his election on Wednesday, Pope Francis has shown a lively sense of humour.
18 March 2013
New Pope warns Church of dangers of inaction Pope Francis has warned that the troubled Catholic Church risks becoming little more than a charity with no spiritual foundations if it fails to undergo renewal.