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
Digital curiosity about faith surges as Christians dominate online activity
UK abortion figures reach highest level on record as campaigners urge rethink of current law
Church magazines still reaching tens of thousands
Christian lawyers who defended nurses over single-sex changing room celebrate court win
Philip Yancey and a heartbroken reflection on grace, failure and restoration
Why Bear Grylls is wrong about organised religion
The Church of England and Living in Love and Faith: where have we got to?
North Korea is worst country in the world for Christian persecution, but Nigeria is the deadliest
UK Christian and Hindu leaders lament proposed redefinition of ‘Islamophobia’
Christians plan rally against Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
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
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which supported the nurses, said, "Allowing a man into a female-only space because he claims to be a woman violates human dignity, common sense, the law of the land and biblical truth."
The figures mark the highest annual total since the introduction of the Abortion Act in 1967.
India has dropped a spot on the list of worldwide persecutors, but the situation remains much the same.
The Church of England's House of Bishops has announced it is bringing the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process to a close.