The 84-year-old religious leader of 1.1 billion Catholics, who had been suffering from Parkinson's disease, had been ill for quite some time now, with his health deteriorating rapidly in the last couple of days.
Pope Francis transformed the lives of a dozen Syrian refugees on Saturday when he plucked three families from a crowded camp on the Greek island of Lesbos and took them back to Rome.
"Since Catholics believe that the Holy Father is elected by a move of God, the Holy Spirit, prayers are necessary to elect the best man from among the good, in these trying times for the universal church."
Pope Francis has been named 'Man of the year' by Vanity Fair, a weekly magazine, in Italy.
Bazball is fine, but England Test team needs common sense: Boycott
Pope Francis on Sunday declared Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluventhinkal from India as saints at Vatican.
Pope said it was rather embarrassing that he didn't know how to use the device
We have plans to counter England's aggression, worked on sweep shot: K S Bharat
Siraj's stellar performance in England's first innings, where he claimed 4/84 in 21.5 overs, played a crucial role in India gaining a vital lead.
India bowled England out for 218 and cruised to 135/1 in their robust reply to seize early control of the fifth and final test.
The high profile visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the US is noted for the involvement of several Indian Americans as well as a protest in New York. People belonging to different faiths, excluding the Sikhs, will meet with him in an interfaith dialogue at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington DC, on Thursday evening. Several Indians are also invited to the White House reception to the Pope.
Ben Duckett's hundred overshadowed Ravichandran Ashwin's monumental feat as England stormed to 207/2 at stumps on Day 2.
Pope Francis blessed thousands of Harley Davidson riders in the Vatican city during the four day celebration marking the American bike manufacturer's 110th anniversary.
The new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is not above the passion his countrymen share for soccer and is an avid a fan of San Lorenzo, one of Argentina's top clubs.
White smoke! Loud cheers and celebrations erupted as the chimney over the Sistine Chapel in Vatican billowed white smoke, signalling the election of a new Pope to lead 1.2 billion Catholics.
The 115 cardinals responsible for electing a new leader for the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics are set to sit down and cast their secret vote on the next Pope.
Akash ran riot in the opening session of Day 1 by removing England's top order to put India in a strong position early in the game.
Moeen has played 68 Tests, scoring over 3,000 runs and taking more than 200 wickets, as well as appearing in 129 one-day and 74 T20 internationals.
Five people, suspected to be Arabs, were arrested in London on Friday over an alleged plot to harm Pope Benedict XVI, now on a state visit to the UK. The five men, in the age group of 26-50, were picked up by Scotland Yard on Friday morning in central London and were being questioned by counter-terror detectives.
Pope Benedict XVI said on Wednesday that he has "deep respect" for Islam.
'I wanted to convert the loose balls, and play till the end.'
India set England a huge target and then skittled the tourists out for 122 to romp to a 434-run victory in the third Test and go 2-1 up in the five-match series on Sunday.
Australia's sensational eight-run defeat to the West Indies in Brisbane on Sunday did not have much impact on them as they continued to lead the WTC rankings.
India's youngsters put their hands up in crucial situations to power the hosts to a five-wicket win over England. With the stellar victory over Ben Stokes and Co in Ranchi, India bagged the series with a game the spare.
Mother Teresa, who cared for the world's most unwanted and became an icon of the Catholic Church, was canonised at a ceremony in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.
Hurt India eye sweeping changes in approach against England's 'Bazball' in second Test
The United States has reacted cautiously to the statement made by the Pope Francis on freedom of speech, who had said such rights entail limits and that other people's religion could not be insulted or mocked.
Moved by the youngster's stories and the emotions surrounding it, Rohit said he was "lost in their debuts".
The Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, supported by the Kashmir high court bar association, the Dukhtaran-e-Millat, traders and several other groups, gave the strike call.
"AIDS cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems," he told media persons on March 17 while on his way to Cameroon.
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Saturday.
Vaughan had also slammed Rohit for not being proactive during the series-opener last week.
Pope Benedict said Iraq's celebration of its Asian Cup soccer victory was a sign of a people yearning for peace.
Pope Francis has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2013.
Ravichandran Ashwin said shutting out external noises was integral for his success in the varied Indian conditions.
For the first time in a men's Test, England went into the match with a lone fast bowler in Mark Wood, opting for a spin-heavy attack instead, which included debutant Tom Hartley.
"I am on the side of the bishops' conference," Francis said.
Rediff.com takes look at the grand lakeside villa, which will be Benedict's first refuge.
