St Peters Square

Pope Francis says refugees must be welcomed, learning from their hopes and pain dissolves fear

Vatican City: Pope Francis is calling for the faithful to not only welcome refugees, but to personally learn from their stories as a way to curb fears and "distorted" ideologies about them.

Pope Francis says Egyptian Coptic Christians killed by Islamic State were 'martyrs'

For the second day in a row, Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with Egypt's Coptic Christians following an attack by the Islamic State.

Fox News sacks popular news anchor Bill O'Reilly over harassment allegations

Fox News on Wednesday severed its relationship with Bill O'Reilly, sacking its biggest star and America's most-watched cable news anchor over a flood of sexual harassment allegations and crashing advertising sales.

Pope Francis laments horror of 'vile' attack on Syrians in Easter address

On Christianity's most joyful day, Pope Francis lamented the horrors generated by war and hatred, delivering an Easter Sunday message that also decried the "latest vile" attack on civilians in Syria.

'Tis the season! Christmas celebrated across the world

Each year more and more Christians are coming out and brazing the security threats to celebrate Christmas and an increasing number of Iraq's Muslims join the revelry in solidarity with them

Charity begins at home: Vatican offers shelter to homeless woman who gave birth near city

The Vatican has offered a place to stay to a homeless woman who gave birth on a piece of cardboard near St. Peter's Square

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 opens 'Holy Door', marks the start of Jubilee year

Pope Francis marks the start of an extraordinary Jubilee year for the world's 1.2 billion Catholics by opening a "Holy Door" in the walls of St Peter's basilica on Tuesday.

On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis poses for selfies with faithfuls

In his homily, Francis called on people, himself included, to look into their own hearts to see how they are living their lives.

Typhoon Haiyan: Pope Francis sends $150,000 aid for homeless

Pope Francis has sent what the Vatican calls initial assistance to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines — $150,000 (120,000 euros) to help those left homeless.