WORLD CUP POPES

The Vatican is turning to social media to reach out to the millions of pilgrims expected to attend the first double canonisation of popes in the history of the Catholic Church.

Fears grew for the health of pope emeritus Benedict last night after a visiting German cardinal expressed shock at how thin he had become since resigning.

Crowds are beginning to gather in the central square of Castel Gandolfo in Italy to catch a glimpse of history: Two Popes meeting for lunch and presumably discussing the future of the Catholic Church.

There was surprise and delight in Ireland when the Archbishop of Buenos Aires was announced as the new leader of the world’s 1.2bn Catholics.