News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Supporters attend a march to defend the memory of Pope John Paul II in Warsaw

March over Pope John Paul II cover-up accusations

Thousands of Poles marched through Warsaw and other cities today to show their support for the late Pope John Paul II in the face of what they said were false allegations that he concealed child abuse in the Catholic Church.

World • 02 Apr 23

Six weeks to build two Irish popemobiles

In 1979, it fell to two Cork men to keep Pope John Paul II moving when he visited Ireland.

Pope Francis In Ireland • 23 Aug 18

John F Kennedy drew huge crowds in the summer of 1963 (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

Follow the crowds: Irish events that drew thousands

With up to 500,000 people expected to turn out to see Pope Francis, we look at some of the other events that have attracted large numbers of Irish people.

The Pope in Ireland • 26 Aug 18

Philip Wilson remains an ordained bishop but has no official role

Former archbishop avoids jail over sex abuse cover-up

A former Australian archbishop convicted of concealing abuse by a notorious paedophile priest in the 1970s was confronted by enraged victims outside a courthouse after a judge spared him jail and ordered he serve his sentence at home.

Australia • 14 Aug 18

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Dublin on Saturday 25 August

Catholic Church embarking on Papal marketing mission

Tomorrow morning, at a time yet to be stipulated, the Irish Catholic Church will embark on arguably its most challenging marketing operation ever when it releases 545,000 free tickets for two of Pope Francis' key engagements on his visit to Ireland.

Catholic Church • 24 Jun 18

John Paul II and John XXIII declared saints

Pope Francis has proclaimed John Paul II and John XXIII as saints of the Catholic Church to applause from the crowd of pilgrims in St Peter's Square.

News • 27 Apr 14

Pope John Paul II is to be declared a saint next month

Galway Racecourse to mark pope's canonisation

An open-air mass is to be held at Galway Racecourse next month to mark the canonisation of Pope John Paul II.

News • 05 Mar 14

The pope's blood was stolen from the church of San Pietro della Ienca

Police find stolen case, but pope's blood missing

Police have recovered a stolen gold and glass case that once contained the blood of the late Pope John Paul II, but a cloth stained with the blood is missing from the container, officials said.

News • 30 Jan 14

Pope John Paul II reportedly loved to go skiing in Italy

Thieves steal vial of Pope John Paul II's blood

A tube containing Pope John Paul II's blood has been stolen from a church in Italy.

News • 27 Jan 14

Pope John Paul II's canonisation is to be one of the fastest in modern times

Two former popes to be declared saints in April

Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be declared saints on 27 April, Pope Francis has announced.

News • 30 Sep 13

The Vatican has said Pope John Paul II is to be made a saint

Pope John Paul II to be declared a saint

Pope John Paul II will be declared a saint, the Vatican has said, announcing that Pope Francis had approved a second miracle attributed to the intercession of the Polish pontiff who led the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005.

News • 06 Jul 13

The original statue of Pope John Paul II was criticised for looking more like Mussolini than the beloved pope

Revamped statue of Pope John Paul ll unveiled

A revamped statue of Pope John Paul II has been unveiled in Rome after the first one was pilloried by the public and the Vatican.

News • 19 Nov 12

Pope John Paul Ii