The apostolic exhortation on the Amazon synod will be released “by the end of this month or in early February”, Cardinal Cláudio Hummes has said.

Argentina’s new president Alberto Fernández will meet Pope Francis on January 31, according to local media reports.

Spain’s bishops will now ask couples to complete up to three years of marriage preparation.

Edward Pentin tries to unravel the Benedict XVI-Cardinal Sarah book controversy.

JD Flynn wonders when the Vatican will announce the outcome of the first investigation of a US bishop under Vos estis.

Paul Moses reveals what Pope John Paul II wrote to George W Bush on the eve of the Iraq War.

And Hank Stuever says The New Pope is a “completely unnecessary addendum” to The Young Pope.

Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.