Pope Francis

The Vatican has undergone a notable shift in its approach towards the ongoing war in Ukraine, signaling a firmer stance against Russia's aggression.

Ukraine on Sunday angrily rejected Pope Francis's call to negotiate with Russia two years into its invasion, vowing "never" to surrender after the pontiff said Kiev should "have the courage to raise the white flag".

Pope Francis has called on Ukraine to embrace negotiations with Russia to end the devastating war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives over the past two years.

A Vatican court convicted two environmental activists of aggravated damage on June 10 and ordered them to pay more than 28,000 euros in restitution after they glued their hands to the base of an ancient statue in the Vatican Museums in a protest to draw attention to climate change.

President Nataša Pirc Musar met Pope Francis at the end of a busy four-day visit to Italy and the Vatican that she opened by meeting President Sergio Mattarella. Ukraine and calls for dialogue topped the agenda.

Starting a family in Italy is starting to become a "titanic effort" that only the rich can afford. This was stated by Pope Francis, quoted by Reuters and BTA.

Pope Francis urged Hungarians to open their doors to others on Sunday, as he wrapped up a weekend visit with a plea for Europe to welcome migrants and the poor and for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Pope Francis has received a group of victims who had been sexually abused by Slovenian priests and offered his sincere apologies, telling the abuse survivors to continue their fight and expose "bad shepherds".

Pope Francis has decided to give women the right to vote at an upcoming meeting of bishops, an historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities and laypeople more say in the life of the Catholic Church.

Both leaders sent pointed signals. Orban gave Francis a copy of a 1243 letter from Hungary's King Bela IV, asking Pope Innocent IV for help repelling Mongol invaders - a possible dig at the pope's welcoming attitude to migrants.