The exhibition in the British Museum in central London seeks to shed light on the everyday lives of the people killed in Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79AD.
Francis brushed off years of tradition and formality with a remarkable break in style, sending a message that he will reject many of the trappings enjoyed by the now-retired Benedict XVI.
The pontiff will depart the Vatican later today to spend the next few months at the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo before he returns to the Vatican permanently to live a life of prayer and academic research.
Details of Pope Benedict’s life after his reign ends have emerged and include him swapping his trademark red shoes for a brown pair. His Fisherman’s Ring will also be destroyed.
Speaking ahead of his resignation next week, Pope Benedict XVI said that God’s beauty was “constantly contradicted by the evil of this world, by suffering and by corruption.”
We need a pope that will listen to the wider church and wider world, writes Fr Seamus Ahearne, who reflects on the previous two popes’ achievements and failures.
FRANCE HAS BECOME the 14th country to legalise same-sex marriage after President Francois Hollande signed the measure into law today following months of bitter political debate.
In Ireland last month, 79 per cent of delegates at the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of same-sex marriage but the Government will hold off on a referendum until next year despite the overwhelming support.
It comes two years after the legalisation of Civil Partnership.
Is another year too long for a referendum on gay marriage? Or, are you opposed to the idea entirely?
So today, we want to know what do you think. Would you welcome the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ireland today, similar to France?
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