Pope, Russian Orthodox patriarch to meet in Cuba, Vatican announces
VATICAN CITY - After almost three decades of tense Catholic-Russian Orthodox relations, Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill of Moscow Feb. 12 in Cuba on the Pope's way to Mexico.
VATICAN CITY - Despite the ongoing violence in the Central Africa Republic, Pope Francis wants to visit the country Nov. 29-30, plans for the visit are in place, and the security situation is being monitored, the Vatican spokesman said.
Claims Pope has tumour 'entirely unfounded'
VATICAN CITY - Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said an Italian newspaper's claims about the Pope's health were "entirely unfounded."
Pope visits Fidel Castro before formal meeting with Cuba's president
HAVANA - Although it was not part of his formal program, Pope Francis took time after Sunday Mass to visit Cuba's ailing former leader, Fidel Castro.
Pope's Cuba visit expected to boost Church's role there
TLALNEPANTLA, Mexico - The president of the Latin American bishops' conference called Pope Francis' planned visit to Cuba an opportunity for the Church to play a larger role in a country experiencing reforms and re-embracing institutionalized religion.
VATICAN CITY - Italian police arrested at least nine people in what officials described as a terrorist cell that had planned, in 2010, to strike at the Vatican with a suicide bomber.