PD candidates may lose second-round vote in Rome, Milan and Naples

Monsignor who was central to social media strategy is also made secretary of Council for Culture

Vatican spokesman denies the story, saying it is ‘unfounded’ and ‘irresponsible’

Primate of All Ireland welcomes debate on pastoral approach

Prelates write to pope expressing concern on liberal declarations emerging at gathering

Agreement reached on voluntary basis, suggesting that some countries may not take part in the process

European agreement ‘disappointing’, says former EU commissioner and Attorney General

Computer giant faces major investigation by authorities in Milan

Court allows woman to use frozen embryos fertilised by her late husband 19 years ago

Irish commission member has ‘very different’ view to Pope Francis on smacking children

It is rare to walk up Via del Seminario and encounter dulcet Belfast tones

Matarella is a seasoned politician, a staunch constitutionalist and the first Sicilian to hold office

It’s believed Pope Francis was once a nifty mover on the Tango dance floor

Stress tests identify Italy as having the biggest capital hole in the euro zone’s banking system

Language toned down to ‘providing for’ homosexuals in new version of controversial ‘relatio’

Francis’ historic visit to the Holy Land last May was marked by symbolic moments of prayer

Xenophobia isn’t far below the surface in a country that has limited structures to deal with migrants

Pontiff to pay homage to martyrs of Christian, Orthodox and Muslim faiths

Profound differences exist between Luca De Montezemolo and the Fiat chief executive

Francis calls for ‘zero-tolerance’ approach to sex abuse within the Catholic Church

Million-strong crowd expected at canonisation of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II

Jakelin Lisbona says Francis rang her on Easter Monday in reply to her letter

State auctioneer told Italian worker in 1970s two paintings he liked were ‘just rubbish’

Submission was so inaccurate, Alan Shatter wrote to Rome seeking clarification

Settling in for a long wait for a new pope was interrupted – by the election of Francis

Speculation rife that former prime minister is to wed ex-TV starlet Francesca Pascale

PM raises hackles by addressing parliamentarians with one hand in his pocket

Study finds majority opposed to gay marriage and female ordinations

Senior Vatican figure says move marks ‘end of painful period in Irish-Holy See relations

From the moment of the pope’s election, in March, there has been the sense that something remarkable has happened. But can Pope Francis implement his bold vision?

Editor Kevin O’Sullivan casts his eye back over the highlights of an eventful 12 months in his editorial review of 2013

The death of the war criminal Erich Priebke has reopened deep wounds and made many ask how much help he got to evade capture

Pontiff to do his ‘best’ to change church, describing Holy See as often too ‘Vatican-centred’

Pontiff would like to see ‘real, effective change’

Ireland’s World Cup failure had more to do with poor quality of squad, claim newspapers

The Lehman Legacy

Archimedes is known for his bathtime genius. A new exhibition fills in many more of the details

In a country with no dole, 89 per cent of 18-24 year olds rely on their parents

President Napolitano appoints two committees of “wise men”