Each time the Pope asked for forgiveness the crowds erupted with applause - the words of sorrow welcomed. It's estimated around 300,000 people went to the World Meeting of Families closing mass

The Pope has begged for God’s forgiveness for the “open wound” of church abuse in Ireland as he called for “firm and decisive” action to secure “truth and justice”.

The first visit by a pope to Ireland in nearly 40 years comes as the Catholic Church is rocked by scandals over clergy child sex abuse and cover-ups.

A Pennsylvania grand jury investigation has prompted Pope Francis to address a 2,000 word letter to all the world's Catholics, 1.2 billion people, condemning sex abuse of minors by the church.

"We abandoned the little ones," he wrote.

Hopes for peace for "beloved Korean people" ahead of Singapore summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump.

All 34 of Chile's bishops tendered their resignation over child sex abuse

Police say a mother and her two daughters, one of them a 9 year old, blew themselves up while the father and two sons targeted two other places of worship.

Pope Francis has used the traditional 'Urbi et Orbi' (to the city and to the world) to pray for a "swift end" to the relentless war in Syria.

Pope Francis baptised a Nigerian migrant who became a hero in Italy after disarming a thief who was armed with a cleaver. John Ogah was one of eight people baptised at an Easter vigil service on Saturday for around 10,000 worshippers in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

Pope Francis has led Roman Catholic devotees in a Good Friday service which was held under tight security in the city's ancient Colosseum.

Pope Francis, starting Holy Week services leading to Easter, urged young people on Sunday to keep shouting and not allow the older generations to silence their voices or anesthetize their idealism.

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He'll be visiting Dublin for two days to conclude the international Catholic Church Meeting With Families

It was Pope Francis’ first visit as Pope to the hill town in southern Italy where the bearded Capuchin monk spent most of his life