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Pina De Simone and Francesco Miano, a married couple who participated in the Synod of Bishops on the family, pose for a photo outside the synod hall at the Vatican in this Oct. 14, 2014, file photo. The married couple will participate in an April 8 news conference for the release of Pope Francis' much-anticipated concluding document of the synod.

Pope to release document on the family April 8

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has set April 8 for the release of "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love"), Pope Francis' reflection on the family and family life.

People wait in line outside the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist before the opening of the public exposition of the Shroud of Turin in Turin, Italy, April 19. The shroud, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus, is on display from April 19 through June 24, 2015.

Only 50 per cent of Italians call themselves Catholic

ROME - Italy may be the spiritual home of 1.2 billion members of the Catholic Church around the world, but a new poll shows only 50 per cent of Italians consider themselves Catholic.

Pope Francis delivers his Easter message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 27

Reconcile with God, resurrect hope in others, Pope urges at Easter

VATICAN CITY - Easter is a feast of hope, a celebration of God's mercy and a call to pray for and assist all who suffer, Pope Francis said before giving his solemn blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world).

When Mary said “yes” to carrying the Christ child in her womb, as seen in Luca Giordano’s The Annunciation, mankind was on the way to salvation.

Mary launched path to salvation

Lady Day — the Catholic feast, not 1940s jazz diva Billie Holiday — doesn’t get much attention. It almost always falls too close to Easter and with the many Marian feasts crowding the Catholic calendar, it’s hard to make time for the Feast of the Annunciation. This year it has been moved from its usual March 25 to April 4 so it does not conflict with Good Friday.

Pope Francis presides over the Way of the Cross outside Rome’s Colosseum March 25.

Pope Francis reads prayer, “O Cross of Christ," during Good Friday service

ROME — Read the Vatican’s English translation of Pope Francis’ prayer last night at the conclusion of the Via Crucis service at Rome’s Colosseum.

Pope Francis reverences the crucifix during the Good Friday service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 25.

Amid security concerns, Pope leads solemn Good Friday liturgy

VATICAN CITY — Entering in silence and lying prostrate on the floor in front of the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis commemorated Jesus' death on the cross.

Worshippers carry candles April 2 as they participate in a Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession as part of Holy Week celebrations in the town of Izalco, El Salvador.

Pope’s Via Crucis prays for those who suffer

VATICAN CITY - When he told Pope Francis that writing the meditations for the papal Way of the Cross service was tough, Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti of Perugia-Citta della Pieve said the Pope told him, “Remember, you aren’t doing it for me, but for the Church.”

Pope Francis kisses the foot of a refugee during Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Center for Asylum Seekers in Castelnuovo di Porto, about 15 miles north of Rome March 24. The Pope washed and kissed the feet of refugees, including Muslims, Hindus and Copts.

Pope Francis denounces modern-day ‘Judases’ behind terror attacks

VATICAN CITY - As the death toll from the Brussels terror attacks rose on March 24, Pope Francis began three days of solemn observances leading to Easter Sunday by denouncing those who help fuel terrorism the way some once backed Judas against Jesus.

Pope Francis greets the faithful as he arrives at the Our Lady of Providence Center in Rome April 17, 2015. Vatican officials announced the Pope will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper with young refugees in Castelnuovo di Porto, about 15 miles north of Rome.

Pope to celebrate Holy Thursday with young refugees

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper with young refugees in Castelnuovo di Porto, north of Rome.

Women religious wave the Armenian flag in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this April 12, 2015, file photo. The Vatican is studying the possibility of Pope Francis visiting Armenia in late June, the Vatican spokesman said.

Pope may visit Armenia in June, Vatican says

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is studying the possibility of Pope Francis visiting Armenia in late June, the Vatican spokesman said.

Pope Francis speaks during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 16.

Vatican looks for new nuncio to the United States

The headline was eye-catching, and most likely that was the goal: “Pope fires Vatican ambassador to U.S. over Kim Davis,” shouted the story this week in the left-leaning Daily Kos.

Pretty amazing, if it were true.

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