The Guardian - Pope Francis has called for a bold and creative strategy to deal with global migration, insisting Europe has the means to absorb refugees without sacrificing its security or culture.

The Guardian - Pope Francis returned to one of his favoured themes in his homily at midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the Vatican, castigating a hedonistic and consumerist society and a culture of indifference.

The Vatican has signed a treaty with the "State of Palestine" and said it hopes the official recognition will help stimulate peace with Israel.

The Vatican says Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Pope Francis on June 10 at the Vatican.

Pope Francis praised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as an "angel of peace" during a meeting Saturday at the Vatican that underscored the Holy See's warm relations with the Palestinians.

By Harut SassounianPublisher, The California Courierwww.TheCaliforniaCourier.comGiven the candidness of Pope Francis, it was not surprising that he clearly acknowledged the Armenian Genocide during the Pontifical Divine Liturgy at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on April 12.The only person who was clueless about the Pope’s true intentions was Mehmet Pacaci, Turkey’s Ambassador to the Vatican, who had bragged to the Turkish press two weeks ago that he had convinced the Pope to reject all Armenian ...

The Vatican has announced that it was sent a £72,000 ransom demand for two letters written by Renaissance master Michelangelo who painted the Sistine Chapel.Rome newspaper Il Messaggero said the person, described as a former Vatican employee, had asked for 100,000 euros (£72,000).

Pope Francis has given a gift of sorts to Armenian Catholics commemorating the 100th anniversary of the massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks, declaring a revered 10th-century mystic and poet, St. Gregory of Narek, a doctor of the church.The Vatican said Monday that Francis had agreed to bestow one of the highest church honors on Gregory after the decision was taken by the Vatican's saint-making office.

Dozens of balloons were released at the Vatican as a sign of peace today - a year after two doves were viciously attacked by other birds at the same ceremony.The bloody conclusion to the peace service in 2014 appears to have forced the Pope's officials to cancel the tradition, replacing the age-old symbols with a more modern alternative.

Angelina Jolie met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican on Thursday.The Hollywood star had arrived in Rome, Italy the previous day amid rumours she would be meeting the leader of the Catholic Church.However, although it was initially thought her husband Brad Pitt would also be in attendance at the special meet-and-greet, he was absent from the meeting.