The cost of the Pope's visit to Britain is set to rise by up to £4 million it was disclosed on Monday.

Pope Benedict met a small group of prison inmates in the Italian town of Sulmona on Sunday where he also conducted an open-air Mass before thousands of faithful.

The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, has lent his support to a public apology to victims of sexual abuse made in a pastoral letter by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, at the weekend.

Women's economic empowerment is essential for the economic development of families and society according to Vatican nuncio, Archbishop Celestino Migliore.

Pope Benedict has called for more effective protection of Iraq’s Christian minority.

More than £900,000 was donated by the Church to people in need, including the homeless people, migrants and refugees, across the Diocese of Westminster over the past year.

Northern Ireland's former first minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, has again stated his opposition to the papal visit to Britain in September.

The Act of Settlement which currently rules Catholics out of contention for succession to the British throne may be in line for reform.

Up to 400 young people between the ages of 16 and 35 are expected to participate at this weekend’s first Invocation festival which is aimed at advising those who may be thinking of becoming priests, religious sisters and brothers, nuns and monks.

Pope Benedict has said he is looking forward to beatifying Cardinal John Henry Newman in Britain in September.