New ZealandSmack for Pope from advisersA New Zealander who advises Pope Francis on combating sexual abuse has criticised the pontiff's support of smacking children.08 Feb 04:00 PM
WorldPope stands up for breastfeeding mumsPope Francis encouraged mums at a baptism ceremony at the Sistine Chapel to continue feeding their children.13 Jan 12:00 AM
WorldUnusual samba tribute to Pope FrancisA samba school has honoured Pope Francis during the opening of a hugely popular carnival in Argentina.11 Jan 09:27 PM
New ZealandKiwi named among Pope's new cardinalsThe Pope has named 15 new cardinals from Africa, Latin America and Asia to reflect a change in church demographics - and among them is NZ's John Dew.04 Jan 07:08 PM
WorldRock star Pope's year of general awesomenessIn 2013 Pope Francis had a lot to celebrate. Not only was he named Time magazine person of the year, but was also awarded the title of Esquire's best-dressed man.26 Dec 04:30 PM
WorldPope's un-merry Christmas messageThe dangers of working too hard and succumbing to gossip can be found in every office - including the administrative body of the Roman Catholic Church.23 Dec 04:00 PM
WorldFrancis' star status a shock for cardinalsThe cardinals who elected Pope Francis 18 months ago had no inkling that he would turn out to be such a "rock star" pontiff, two "princes of the church" have said.10 Oct 04:00 PM
WorldPriest on cocaine chargeA Catholic priest has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of dealing drugs at a party.18 Jul 05:00 PM
WorldWaiter claims Spanish royal bloodA waiter, whose adoptive parents are peasants, claims to be the son of former Spanish king Juan Carlos and has launched a paternity suit.29 Jun 10:21 PM
New ZealandEx-priest guilty of bigamyA former priest who moved to Australia where he married twice without first divorcing his New Zealand wife has been found guilty of bigamy.24 Jun 01:50 AM
WorldUnmarried mums' homes investigated after 800 bodies foundThe Irish government is launching a full-scale investigation into controversial Catholic homes for unmarried mothers, following revelations that up to 800 infants died in one such institution over a 35-year period.10 Jun 08:20 PM
OpinionPaul LittlePaul Little: Curios line stairway to heavenIt was a total Pope-fest. Two living pontiffs - the incumbent and his immediate predecessor - presided at the canonisation of two deceased vicars of Christ.04 May 12:43 AM
WorldDo you have to be saintly to be a saint?You don't have to be all that saintly to be a saint, as even Catholic clerics attest. But then, canonisation has long been more about politics than purity.28 Apr 10:03 PM
WorldFour Popes, two saints, one billion eyesIt has been dubbed "the day of the four Popes", an unprecedented occasion in the 2000-year history of the Catholic Church.27 Apr 04:15 PM
New Zealand$1.2m fraudster told to pay back halfA fraudster who siphoned off more than $1.2 million from a Wellington Catholic society has been ordered to pay back half of what she stole.25 Mar 11:33 PM
WorldThe People's Pope - His first yearHe's dropped an F-bomb, sold his Harley and appeared on Rolling Stone magazine. We look at ten of Pope Francis' notable moments in his first 12 months.13 Mar 03:00 AM
WorldGallery: The Pope's first yearA selection of images celebrating the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis' election as Bishop of Rome.13 Mar 02:49 AM
WorldPope: I'm not SupermanPope Francis has attacked the hype surrounding his papacy, claiming yesterday he is a "normal person" and calling comparisons between himself and Superman "offensive".06 Mar 04:30 PM
WorldUnholy f***: Pope's slip-upPope Francis has caused a stir at his weekly Vatican address by seemingly dropping the F-Bomb with the ease of a drunken docker in a public house.03 Mar 07:40 PM
WorldPolls show dislike for church rulesCatholics are divided on issues such as divorce and birth control amid widespread resentment at Church teachings, two surveys have found.10 Feb 04:30 PM
WorldTopless protesters fight abortion lawBare-breasted feminists hurled knickers at the archbishop of Madrid as he arrived at church in protest at his support for a tightening of Spain's abortion law.02 Feb 10:20 PM
WorldPope Francis urges rich to do more for poorPope Francis challenged business leaders assembled in Davos today to do more for the poor and ensure 'humanity is served by wealth and not ruled by it.'22 Jan 02:07 AM
WorldHomosexuality a 'defect' that can be cured - CardinalThe Pope’s new Spanish Cardinal has called homosexuality a physical “defect” that can be cured, it has been reported.21 Jan 12:05 AM
WorldMan admits trying to eat victim's heartAn Italian man charged with murdering his Irish landlord after an alleged row over a game of chess told police he had cut open his victim and tried to eat his heart.13 Jan 07:11 PM
WorldDispute over chess move led to murder - policeAn Irish man has been knifed to death in a frenzied attack over a late night chess game, detectives believe.12 Jan 07:49 PM
WorldFather, let's go for a spinPope Francis has broken protocol to invite an old friend up for a ride on his popemobile in St Peter's Square.08 Jan 08:42 PM
WorldPope Francis: I'm not a MarxistPope Francis has been forced to defend his economic and social ideologies after prominent conservatives accused him of coming forward with “pure Marxism”.15 Dec 07:58 PM
