Amid a prolonged drought across many parts of Italy, the Vatican is shutting off its famous fountains in a move described by officials as being in line with Pope Francis's teachings and emphasis on the environment.
The Pope not only took the time to reply in person. He hinted strongly that he might indeed consider attending the annual pilgrimage in Loreto, Italy next year.
'Good and evil are totally entwined', said Pope Francis at the Vatican this morning, declaring that 'we are all sinners'. He implored Christians not to label any one group or place as bad, warning against a judgmental 'Church of the pure'.
An American Archbishop has hit back at allies of Pope Francis who recently attacked US conservative Catholics and evangelicals for their 'ecumenism of hate,' with the Archbishop arguing that the groups are 'merely for fighting for what their Churches have always held to be true'.
Pope Francis has put up a sign on his apartment door in Rome telling complainers it is time to stop whining. Here's why this makes us love this Pope even more
Close allies of Pope Francis have attacked the role of religion in American politics, taking aim at both ultra-conservative Catholics and evangelical Protestants.
Christians who lay down their life to save others will now be eligible for beatification, the first step on the path towards sainthood, Pope Francis has said.