Reuters

• China outlaws large underground Protestant church in Beijing

  The Zion church had for years operated with relative freedom, hosting hundreds of worshippers every weekend in an expansive specially renovated hall in north Beijing.

• 'TREASON?': Trump lashes out at claims of White House resistance movement

  Many senior officials in President Donald Trump's administration have been working from within to frustrate parts of his agenda to protect the country from his worst impulses.

• Roy Moore sues Sacha Baron Cohen over 'Who is America?' sting

  Roy Moore, the former US Senate candidate from Alabama, on Wednesday filed a $95 million defamation lawsuit against Sacha Baron Cohen.

• Under this collapsed church roof in Rome is the prison that housed Peter and Paul before their deaths

  The roof of a church built on top of an ancient prison that is said to have held St Peter before his crucifixion collapsed on Thursday in Rome.

• Catholic bishops in Australia reject compulsory abuse reporting, defying new laws

  The Catholic church in Australia said on Friday it would oppose laws forcing priests to report child abuse when they learn about it in the confessional.

• Why a Protestant church in Beijing is facing CCTV cameras and eviction

  In April, Beijing authorities asked the church to install 24 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the building for 'security'.

• Defenders rally round Pope Francis after Vigano allegations

  Supporters of Pope Francis have rushed to his defence after a former top Vatican official launched an unprecedented attack on him.

• Pope Francis refuses to respond to calls for his resignation over sexual abuse scandals

  Pope Francis said on Sunday he would not respond to explosive accusations by a former top Vatican official that the pontiff had covered up sexual abuse, saying dismissively that the document containing the allegations "speaks for itself".

• Pope Francis vows to end 'repugnant crimes' of abuse during Ireland visit

  Pope Francis vowed on Saturday to end the sexual exploitation of children by clergy during a highly-charged visit to once deeply Catholic Ireland and, according to victims, said the corruption and cover up of abuse amounted to human excrement.

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  Trump's national security adviser says US-Turkey crisis could end 'instantly' if pastor is freed

  Turkey could end its lira-battering crisis with the United States "instantly" by freeing a detained American pastor, President Donald Trump's national security adviser said, adding that a Qatari cash infusion would not help Ankara's economy.

• Ireland's Catholics hoping Pope's visit will revive interest in the Church

  Bernie and Tom Byrne can barely conceal their excitement as they prepare for a visit to Ireland by Pope Francis that they hope will bring back the young believers that have deserted the Catholic church after decades of scandal.

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  Pastor Andrew Brunson's lawyer plans appeal to Turkish constitutional court

  The lawyer for the American Christian pastor on trial for terrorism charges in Turkey said on Wednesday he planned to appeal to the constitutional court to seek Andrew Brunson's release after being rejected by a lower court last week.