Italian divers have recovered more bodies from the wreck of a smugglers’ ship that sank off the tiny island of Lampedusa, raising the death toll to 250.

In his first Mass as pope, Francis showed how different he would be as a pastor, giving an off-the-cuff homily about the need to walk with God, build up his Church, and confess — at one point referring to children building sandcastles on the beach.

Pope Francis put his humility on display during his first day as pontiff today, stopping by his hotel to pick up his luggage and pay the bill himself.

It’s a ritual as rich in tradition and symbolism as the Catholic Church can muster: secret oaths, hypnotic Gregorian chants, scarlet-decked cardinals filing through the Sistine Chapel — all while the public outside in St Peter’s Square watches for white smoke to learn if it has a new pope.

The Catholic Church awoke Friday with no leader following the resignation of Benedict XVI, who pledged obedience to his successor.

There is going to have to be significant EU treaty change within the next few years to enable further EU integration, according to the EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have issued an apology after they published a cartoon depicting Mario Balotelli as King Kong.

A disabled cruise ship will spend an extra 10 to 12 hours at sea without electricity, air conditioning or toilet facilities because of a row over tugs, a Seychelles minister says.

Italy’s Senate Speaker said today he could not muster enough support for an interim government to change voting rules, clearing the way for an early election.

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton expressed his relief and anger following the latest sorry showing from his misfiring side.

Stephen Ireland spared the blushes of Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton with a last-gasp equaliser, but his job is again on the line.

RESPONDING to Pope John Paul II’s request, the Vatican will depart from centuries-old tradition by ringing bells in addition to sending up white smoke to signal the election of his Pope’s successor.

Overwhelmed Italian officials said they will cut off the queue of pilgrims hoping to see Pope John Paul’s body at St Peter’s Basilica tonight as a massive line snaked down a wide boulevard, through ancient alleyways and onto a bridge.