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
Christians lament government's new Islamophobia definition
Christian couple separated from daughters after 'religious extremism' accusations lose appeal
Bible sales grew in 2025, data shows
Tom Holland appointed Bede Librarian at Durham Cathedral
Islam, football and Ramadan breaks
Religious ‘nones’ reach record high in US
Vatican to install showers for the homeless in St Peter's Square
Pope to raffle gifts including panama hat, Fiat Panda and espresso machine to raise money for the poor
Pope Francis: Don't proselytise, instead heal the sick and seek the lost
Why Pope Francis won't meet the Dalai Lama
Pope Francis thanks Salvation Army for teaching him about Christian unity as a small boy
Motherhood reveals something deeply profound about the nature of love.
Marianne Awaraji at SAT-7 ARABIC reflects on being a leader in the workplace and a mother in the home at a time of great uncertainty for the people of Lebanon.
15 March 2026, or the fourth Sunday in Lent, is Mothering Sunday in Britain and Ireland. The tradition nearly died and was rescued by a determined vicar’s daughter about a hundred years ago. This is the story …
This Mother’s Day, let’s do more than send flowers.
