Pope Francis has appealed for prayers as he begins his two-day visit to Egypt.

The Catholic parish in Dubai has celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Ireland must move beyond "the 'service station’ model of church", theologian Fr Vincent Twomey has said.

Crispin Balmer, Daniel Burke, Gerard O'Connell, Jason Horowitz and Nina Shea preview the Pope's trip to Egypt.

George Weigel calls the latest plans to reconcile the SSPX to Rome "a very, very bad idea".

Samuel Gregg says "we should all be worried" by the upheaval in France.

And Clare Short describes a "surreal" encounter with Benedict XVI.

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