Pope Francis prayed for peace in Ukraine and Syria and for an end to the terrorist attacks in Nigeria as he celebrated Easter Sunday in Rome.

Pope Francis, marking Palm Sunday in a packed St Peter’s Square, ignored his prepared homily and spoke entirely off-the-cuff in a remarkable departure from practice.

Pope Francis has marked Palm Sunday in a packed St Peter’s Square, ignoring his prepared homily and speaking entirely off the cuff.

Pope Francis sat in silent prayer during this year’s Good Friday procession, which was re-enacting Christ’s crucifixion, and recalled the wars and “violent fundamentalism” that are devastating the Middle East today.

David Newmark’s letter (Aug 8) makes interesting points.

The head of the Redemptorist order in Limerick has publicly backed his colleague, Fr Tony Flannery, whose liberal views have run foul of the Vatican.

A PHONE advert featuring a cartoon picture of Jesus winking and giving a thumbs-up sign was “disrespectful” and cannot be used again, Britain’s advertising watchdog said.

It is the first stop in Spain for many Irish tourists. But Alicante never attracts the plaudits it deserves. It’s also a perfect place for an Easter break, as Peter Geoghegan finds out.

A lavishly-jewelled cross and a ring once owned by Pope Paul VI are heading to auction on eBay.

POPE BENEDICT XVI sees the priestly sex scandal as a “test for him and the Church,” his spokesman says, as the Pope and his bishops around Europe used Holy Week’s solemn call for penitence to pledge transparency in dealing with the abuse of children.

Pope Benedict XVI sees the clerical sex scandals as a "test for him and the church", his spokesman said today, as bishops around Europe used Holy Week's solemn call for penitence to pledge transparency in dealing with the abuse of children.

POPE Benedict XVI opened Holy Week yesterday amid one of the most serious crises facing the church in decades, with questions about his handling of cases of paedophile priests and the Vatican acknowledging its “moral credibility” was on the line.

Pope Benedict XVI has opened the church’s solemn Holy Week amid increasing questions about his own handling of cases of sexual abuse of children by priests.

Reports that the Vatican intends to force the resignation of the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland over the paedophile priests scandal have been dismissed by his spokesman today.

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland remained under intense pressure to step down tonight despite apologising for not alerting gardaí about a paedophile priest.

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Sean Brady apologised today over revelations that he failed to alert gardaí about the abuse of two children by notorious paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.

It was a scene that moved a nation: mourners clinging to one another and sobbing over neat rows of more than 200 coffins, some with tiny children’s caskets resting on top.

MOTORISTS taking to the roads over the Easter holiday period can expect to see a marked increase in Garda surveillance and “super checkpoints”.

WORLDWIDE celebrations for St Patrick’s Day could face disruption after the Catholic Church decided to move the Irish patron saint’s feast day.

TOTTENHAM manager Martin Jol believes his side will have to play “better than ever” if they are to knock defending champions Sevilla out of the UEFA Cup.

All flights from Brazil’s airports have been suspended amid a protest by striking air traffic controllers.

POPE John Paul II may have to return to hospital for tests on the tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe, an Italian newspaper reported yesterday.

The Pope may have to return to hospital for tests on the tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera newspaper reported today.

Pope John Paul II’s own suffering kept him away from his flock on Good Friday, but he appeared via video at the Way of the Cross commemoration of Christ’s suffering at Rome’s torchlit Colosseum.

THE Pope’s own suffering kept him away from his flock on Good Friday, as Christians reflected on the suffering of Jesus on the most solemn day of the church calendar.

Pope John Paul II’s own suffering kept him away from his flock on Good Friday, but he appeared via video at Rome’s torchlit Colosseum at the Way of the Cross commemoration of Christ’s suffering.

Pope John Paul II’s absence was felt by worried followers as poor health forced him to miss major Holy Week events, and the pontiff’s suffering gave special significance to Good Friday’s ceremonies.

Doctors have advised Pope John Paul to extend his hospital stay by “a few more days", but he will return to the Vatican by the start of Holy Week on March 20, his spokesman said today.

POPE John Paul, who is in hospital recovering from surgery, has for the first time in his papacy delegated senior cardinals to preside at nearly all the Easter season ceremonies which he normally leads.

POPE John Paul II is likely to be released from hospital in time for Holy Week services later this month, the Vatican said yesterday.

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators moved into what could be the final phase of talks aimed at breaking the month-old deadlock at one of Christianity’s holiest shrines today, as Orthodox Christians marked their Easter holiday.