Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Nobel laureate known for dedicating her life to helping the poor, will be made a saint of the Catholic Church, the Vatican has said.

Tens of thousands of Catholics queued at the Vatican for the strictest security checks in living memory as Pope Francis began a Holy Year with a call to set aside “fear and dread”.

Priests have welcomed a letter from Pope Francis which allows them discretion to formally forgive women who have had abortions.

THE significance of President Michael D Higgins dining in state at Windsor castle last night is that it is the culmination of British recognition of Irish independence. It is also a full recognition of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Experts performed a top-secret restoration of the Shroud of Turin, removing centuries-old patches and replacing a backing sewn centuries ago on to what some say was the burial cloth of Jesus, church officials announced today.

Tom Cohen, Toronto

In an era of global terrorism and sex scandals in his church, a frail Pope John Paul will join young people from around the globe this week at World Youth Day festivities intended to invigorate spiritual devotion.

Pope John Paul II has pulled shut the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica to end the Vatican's Jubilee Year of repentance and renewal, which drew some 25 million pilgrims to Rome.