St Peters Basilica

Pope’s Christmas message: Backs UN peace process in Syria, Libya; calls terrorism victims 'martyrs'

Pope Francis issued a Christmas Day prayer that recent UN-backed peace processes for Syria and Libya will quickly end the suffering of their people. He denounced the "monstrous evil" and atrocities they have endured and praised the countries that have taken in their refugees.

Full text: Pope Francis calls for 'empathy, compassion and mercy' in Christmas Eve Mass homily

Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica as Catholic faithful joyfully recall the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem.

Pope Francis to meet sex abuse victims for first time on Monday

Pope Francis will meet victims of paedophile priests for the first time on Monday, as a Vatican commission moves to address the problem of clerical sex abuse in developing countries.

At times it seemed like the Lord was sleeping, says Pope in emotional farewell

Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience on Wednesday, saying he understood the gravity of his decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years but that he had done it for the good of the Roman Catholic Church.