Cuba has pardoned 787 prisoners in a Year of Mercy gesture.

Islamist "hyperextremism" is a threat to global peace, Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need has said.

Vatican City has taken new steps to "become a good example of a ‘green’ and non-polluting state".

Rocco Palmo says the US bishops' election results mark "a decisive shift toward the South and West".

Austen Ivereigh asks how Pope Francis will respond to "the new nationalist politics".

James Carroll argues that Benedict XVI's Last Testament lays bare his "ethical obtuseness".

And Cardinal-designate Blase Cupich has given Pope Francis a Chicago Cubs baseball cap.

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