Our guide to the most memorable events in the Catholic world in 2016...
1. The murder of Fr Jacques Hamel at a church in Normandy
In July Fr Hamel, 86, was celebrating Mass at St Etienne-du-Rouvray church in Normandy when two ISIS attackers burst into the building. Witnesses reported that the priest said “Be gone Satan” before they slit his throat.
Pope Francis later called Fr Hamel a martyr.
2. Millions of young Catholics attend World Youth Day in Kraków
Pope Francis posed for a selfie with young Catholics after he had lunch with them at the archbishop's residence in Kraków at the end of July.
