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Pope Francis to attend installation that includes short film featuring Zoë Saldaña and Giudecca inmatesOriginally a convent dating to the 13th century, and once a reformatory for prostitutes, the Giudecca women’s prison, set on an island in the Venetian lagoon, will this summer perform a quite different role: as the official pavilion for the Vatican at this year’s Venice Biennale.Pope Francis is due to...

Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker, 92, was evaluated by psychiatrist after defense attorneys said he’s too sick to be triedSeven months after his arrest on rape and kidnapping charges, 92-year-old Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker appeared in court in Louisiana on Thursday in an orange prison jumpsuit, was rolled in a wheelchair to a back room and was evaluated by a doctor to see if he’s...

Father’s lawyers label high court of Australia decision a ‘monumental outcome’ for families of clergy sexual abuse victimsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAustralia’s highest court has rejected the Catholic church’s bid to avoid paying damages to the father of a choirboy allegedly sexually abused by Cardinal George Pell.The father,...

Saunders has not been charged with any offence and denies allegations he sexually assaulted and groomed young Aboriginal men in WA over 50-year careerFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastChild abuse detectives have searched a Broome property which the ABC reported was the temporary home of the disgraced bishop emeritus...

New practice does not endorse homosexuality but is not heretical, Catholic church says amid opposition from some bishopsThe Vatican has stressed that allowing priests to bless same-sex couples is not an endorsement of homosexuality, but neither is it blasphemous, after some Catholic bishops reacted negatively to the measure announced last month.Pope Francis approved a ruling in December allowing priests to bless unmarried and same-sex...