We deeply admire the (very serious) work of Pope Francis, but it's been a gusty year at the Vatican and the pontiff has struggled more than once to keep hold of his hat. Here's the lighter side of the pope's year in pictures:
1. New take on the dog collar
2. Papa Smurf
3. Peekaboo
4. 'Doh'
5. Call me Kung Fu Francis
6. The flying saucer
7. 'Err... I can't see where I'm going'
8. Blowing his nose
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A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism.
The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.
International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.
