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
Palm Sunday: the triumphal entry and its meaning for us today
The glaring absences from the Archbishop of Canterbury's installation
Royal aides attempt to ease fears about Prince William's faith
Päivi Räsänen 'shocked and profoundly disappointed' after being convicted over pamphlet
Finland has shot itself in the foot in convicting Päivi Räsänen
Thousands gather for installation of Sarah Mullally as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
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
Israel's prime minister has said the Church leaders will now have "full and immediate access" after international outcry.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the most sacred week in the Christian calendar.
29 March is Palm Sunday, or the sixth Sunday in Lent, which kicks off Holy Week. The events of this day echo a historical episode from Jewish history which most evangelicals miss. This is the story …
The Palm Sunday celebrations in Northern Iraq usually are big celebrations to commemorate Jesus entering Jerusalem.
