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Darwin has been singled out as the most likely destination for a papal visit,which would be the first by a Catholic pope to Australia in 16 years.
The release of a 20-page document follows fierce conservative pushback against the doctrinal office’s previous declaration on LGBT issues.
A lawsuit involving Aboriginal victims of a jailed priest could have international implications for the Vatican as they seek to protect the pontiff from being drawn into a civil damages claim.
Pope Francis overcame concerns about his health to preside over Easter Sunday Mass,leading some 30,000 people in a flower-decked St Peter’s Square.
His last-minute decision to stay home this year recalled the Good Friday that St John Paul II famously watched from the Apostolic Palace just before he died in 2005.
The Pope’s infatuation with the young woman almost deprived the Catholic Church of its first pontiff from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope.
Francis’ remarks are likely to antagonise pro-LGBT+ groups,since surrogacy is often used by gay or lesbian partners who want to have children.
Roman Catholic priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies,the Vatican said.
The pope,who turns 87 on Sunday,has decided to be buried outside the Vatican.