Poland Polish priests hit the slopes This year sees the 21st edition of the Pope John Paul II Skiing Cup. The former Pope founded the competition with the idea of allowing priests to set an example in honest competition, as well as in prayer. 22/01/2018
Chile Pope in Chilean sexual abuse cover-up row It wasn't all marriages on airplanes. The Pope has caused outrage on his visit to Chile by refusing to condemn Bishop Juan Barros, who stands accused of a cover-up. 19/01/2018
Chile Pope marries cabin crew couple on Chile flight The mid-air ceremony was the first in papal history. 18/01/2018
Australia Call to end Catholic celibacy in Australia Uncovering serious failings across institutions, an Australian inquiry into child abuse recommends the Catholic Church remove its requirement for celibacy 15/12/2017
United Kingdom Bonfire night in Britain burns some topical 2017 villains along with 1605 plotters Britain's Bonfire Night, which celebrates the foiling of a Catholic plot to blow up parliament and the King in 1605, has had one new addition to its rogues' gallery of conspirators and priests - Harvey Weinstein. 05/11/2017
Ireland Ireland’s thorny abortion debate Abortion is currently illegal in the country, except if a pregnant woman's life is in danger. Rights campaigners will be closely watching what changes are put to voters in a referendum on the issue next year. 27/09/2017
United Kingdom Former Catholic Archbishop of Westminster Cormac Murphy O'Connor dies Former Catholic Archbishop of Westminster Cormac Murphy O'Connor dies aged 85 01/09/2017
United Kingdom Seven Welsh priests walk into a bar and get mistaken for a stag party A group of Roman Catholic priests were refused service at a Welsh pub on after staff mistook them for a stag party in fancy dress. 01/08/2017
world news Pope's top aide in court charged with historical sex abuse One of the Pope’s top advisors is facing sex abuse charges in Australia. Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican's economy minister, is the most senior Catholic to be charged with sex crimes 25/07/2017
no comment Pope Francis cheered in Fatima Tens of thousands of worshippers greeted Pope Francis from the esplanade of the Fatima sanctuary where the Pope made saints of two Portuguese shepherd children who are believed to have seen apparition 14/05/2017
Portugal Pope gives the Catholic church its two youngest Saints Pope Francis has canonised the Marto children, who 100 years ago saw the Madonna in Portugal, and are now the Catholic church's youngest saints. 13/05/2017
Portugal Pope visits Portugal to make shepherd children saints Pope Francis has visited one of the most famous Catholic pilgrimage sites, the Shrine of Fatima in Portugal, to name two shepherd children saints. 13/05/2017
Portugal Pope Francis arrives in Portugal for Fatima trip Pope Francis arrived at Monte Real airport in Portugal on Friday where he was greeted by the Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. 12/05/2017
no comment Pilgrims descend on Fatima ahead of Pope's visit Mobs of pilgrims began to flock to Fatima to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Marian apparitions and to see Pope Francis who is due to visit between May… 12/05/2017
Vatican Swiss Guard swears in 40 new recruits The world’s oldest standing army has 40 new members after a Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican. 07/05/2017
Vatican Pope ashamed of "mother of all bombs" name The Pope took offence to the word "mother" being used to describe a deadly weapon. 06/05/2017
Egypt Pope to strengthen ties with Islam during Egypt trip Catholics in Egypt make up less than 1% of the population, but Pope Francis wants to strengthen dialogue between religions. 26/04/2017
Vatican Pope's TED talk calls for humility Pope Francis' surprise TED talk carries a message of warning to the powerful. 26/04/2017
Vatican Pope condemns deadly attack on Syrian convoy in Easter message Referring to the blast near Aleppo which killed more than 100 people, Francis said Syrians were the "victims of a war that does not cease to sow horror and death." 16/04/2017
world news Christians worldwide celebrate Easter Pope Francis has led the world’s Roman Catholics into Easter, urging the faithful not to ignore the plight of immigrants, the poor and other vulnerable people. 16/04/2017
no comment Taxco faithful start Holy Week with flagellation Catholics in the colonial town of Taxco in southern Mexico marked the start of the Holy Week by re-enacting the Passion of Christ. 15/04/2017
Italy Good Friday: Pope leads 'Way of the Cross' service at Colosseum Pope Francis raised the themes of shame and hope as he led the traditional ‘Way of the Cross’ service at Rome’s Colosseum, late on Good Friday. 15/04/2017
no comment Filipino Catholics crucify themselves in a biblical reenactment Catholic devotees were nailed to wooden crosses in a reenactment of Jesus Christ's crucifixion 14/04/2017
Vatican Pope washes prisoners' feet in Holy Week ritual Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of inmates at a jail housing Mafia turncoats on Thursday, again putting his own stamp on a traditional Holy Week ritual. 13/04/2017
Philippines Filipino Catholics perform bloody ritual Hundreds of Catholics in the Philippines are celebrating the pre-Easter festival Maundy Thursday. 13/04/2017
