Pope Francis

The ancient rule banned women from a foot-washing service during Lent.

Princess Charlene of Monaco and her husband Prince Albert II are visiting the Vatican.

Monaco's Prince Albert II and his wife Princess Charlene will travel to the Vatican for a state visit on 18 January.

In The Name of God is Mercy, he calls for mercy to be central tenet of the Church rather than condemnation

Many Christians around the world are celebrating Epiphany, while others are preparing for Christmas.

The pope's message was delivered during the Christmas Eve Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica.

World leaders are taking the opportunity to reflect and deliver messages of peace and hope.

The late missionary is one step closer to sainthood - but does it take to be canonised?

Miracle attributed to Nobel peace laureate concerned the cure of a man in 2008.

Larger-than-life images of wild animals and birds were projected onto the façade of St Peter's Basilica.

Hoteliers in Italian capital record drop in bookings on the eve of extraordinary Jubilee called by Pope Francis.

Alleged whistleblowers Father Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda and PR expert Francesca Chaouqui exchange accusations.

Pontiff urged civilians to reject hatred and violence while visiting a mosque in Bangui.

People of Paris find unique ways to voice their concerns about climate change, after marches were banned.

100 Muslims 'stabbed' or 'had their throats slit' in brutal sectarian violence around Bangui's K5 enclave.

IBTimes UK explains who fights and why in CAR, as Pope Francis visits K5 Muslim enclave

Scrapping a pre-prepared script, the Latin American pope addressed a packed Nairobi stadium.

Climate change could push more than 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030

Security was tight on the rain-soaked campus of the University of Nairobi.

Thousands of Catholic worshippers gathered in the Kenyan capital in spite of rainy conditions.

Many challenges are weighing the country down, including ethnicity and corruption.

Revelation comes ahead of Pope Francis's scheduled visit to the country's capital Bangui.

IBTimes UK looks at the region which includes some of the biggest problems facing the Church.

Pontiff is expected to address CAR's religious conflict, LGBT rights, climate change and abortion

Human Rights Watch tells IBTimes Pope Francis should also call to end "pervasive impunity".

Activists hope Pope Francis will preach tolerance toward homosexuals and call for peaceful elections

100 people were killed in the past six weeks and 900 houses destroyed in Central African Republic

Pope Francis will be making his first visit to Africa over five days

Gay Africans hope the Pope's message of tolerance will help reduce homophobia and prejudice.

US warns that monuments, theatres and churches at risk of terrorism ahead of Catholic Jubilee