Pope Benedict XVI
Pope promises 'respect' for all world religions
Mar 20, 2013 11:11 EDT
Pope Francis on Wednesday promised "friendship and respect" for all faiths at a meeting with representatives of major world religions in the Vatican in which he said he felt "close" to non-believers.
Pope sets out on mission to 'embrace the poorest'
Mar 20, 2013 01:45 EDT
Pope Francis has donned the symbols of papal power, vowing to embrace the "poorest" at a grand inauguration in the Vatican as leader of a troubled Roman Catholic Church.
Pope gets first taste of simmering China-Taiwan dispute
Mar 19, 2013 21:26 EDT
President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan met with Pope Francis in St Peter's Basilica on Tuesday in a first taste for the new pontiff of a long-running dispute that pits the island against its giant neighbour China.
Pope vows to 'embrace poorest' at grand inauguration
Mar 19, 2013 16:45 EDT
Pope Francis donned the symbols of papal power and vowed to embrace the "poorest" of humanity on Tuesday at a grand inauguration in the Vatican as leader of a troubled Roman Catholic Church.
Pope's common touch poses security conundrum
Mar 19, 2013 13:33 EDT
Finding himself near a Vatican exit and hearing people chanting his name outside, during one of his first days in office, Pope Francis responded with an impromptu walkabout that looks set to become a frequent occurrence.
Pope Francis greets crowds at inauguration
Mar 19, 2013 04:25 EDT
Pope Francis swept into St Peter's Square on Tuesday to greet throngs of pilgrims before a sumptuous ceremony in which Latin America's first pontiff will receive the formal symbols of papal power.
Taiwan row a first diplomatic test for Pope Francis
Mar 19, 2013 00:55 EDT
China's angry reaction to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's attendance at the inauguration of Pope Francis on Tuesday is the first taste of a long-running dispute that the new Argentine pontiff may have unique qualities to grapple with.
Pope Francis set for grandiose inauguration mass
Mar 18, 2013 23:07 EDT
World leaders flew in for Pope Francis's inauguration mass in St Peter's Square on Tuesday where Latin America's first pontiff will receive the formal symbols of papal power.
Cuba declares holiday on Good Friday
Mar 18, 2013 17:35 EDT
Cuba's communist government on Monday declared a holiday on Good Friday for the second year in a row without mentioning the day's religious significance to Christians.
Argentina asks for Falklands help in pope's first talks
Mar 18, 2013 16:58 EDT
Argentine President Cristina Kirchner on Monday asked compatriot Pope Francis to mediate in the Falkland Islands' dispute with Britain at the new pontiff's first talks with a head of state, as world leaders flew in for his inauguration mass.
Argentine president asks pope to mediate in Falklands
Mar 18, 2013 13:28 EDT
Argentine President Cristina Kirchner on Monday asked compatriot Pope Francis to mediate in the Falkland Islands' dispute with Britain at the new pontiff's first talks with a head of state, as world leaders flew in for his inauguration mass.
Pope Francis eschews tradition with silver ring
Mar 18, 2013 11:09 EDT
Pope Francis has eschewed tradition and chosen a silver Fisherman's Ring rather than a gold one -- and one designed decades ago rather than created specifically for him, the Vatican said Monday.
Pope holds first political talks with Argentine president
Mar 18, 2013 11:01 EDT
Pope Francis received compatriot President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina in the Vatican on Monday in his first meeting with a head of state as world leaders arrived in Rome ahead of his inauguration mass.
Sparks of humour in Pope Francis's first days
Mar 18, 2013 06:42 EDT
Starting with the historic moment when the first Latin American pontiff greeted the crowds in St Peter's Square after his election on Wednesday, Pope Francis has shown a lively sense of humour.
World leaders head to Rome for pope's inaugural mass
Mar 18, 2013 05:33 EDT
World leaders arrived in Rome ahead of an inauguration mass for Pope Francis who receives compatriot President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina on Monday in his first meeting with a head of state.
'He'll be a great pope -- if they let him,' pilgrims say
Mar 17, 2013 12:37 EDT
Tens of thousands of pilgrims thronged St Peter's Square on Sunday to see Pope Francis at his first Angelus appearance, but some were worried that this mould-breaking pontiff could come up against powerful vested interests in the Vatican.
Folksy pope wins more hearts with first Angelus
Mar 17, 2013 12:07 EDT
Pope Francis on Sunday underscored his man-of-the-people approach with his first Angelus prayer as pontiff, taking a folksy tone in front of 150,000 enthusiastic pilgrims in St Peter's Square.
'Pray for me', Pope Francis urges at first Angelus
Mar 17, 2013 08:01 EDT
Pope Francis appeared before some 150,000 pilgrims massed in St Peter's Square on Sunday for his first Angelus prayer and asked the faithful to pray for him.
A trusty spokesman helps pope's debut on world stage
Mar 17, 2013 05:08 EDT
As Pope Francis starts out in the Vatican, following his historic election as Latin America's first pontiff, a trusty fellow Jesuit will be helping him broadcast his message -- Father Federico Lombardi.
Pope begins to outline vision for Catholic Church
Mar 16, 2013 23:11 EDT
Pope Francis begins his papacy in earnest on Sunday ahead of his formal inauguration mass, with a weekly prayer address used by previous pontiffs to comment on international affairs.
