Lizzy Davies, The Guardian

The leadership of the Roman Catholic church is bracing for open conflict over its treatment of remarried divorcees as powerful conservatives mobilise ahead of a highly anticipated summit called by Pope Francis for next month.

Leaders of the Roman Catholic church who failed to respond adequately to reports of child sex abuse by paedophile priests caused even greater suffering to their victims and will in future be held accountable, Pope Francis has said, in a clear rebuke to bishops who helped cover up the scandal and shield abusers.

Pope Francis has warned married couples who choose not to have children that they are heading for an old age blighted by "the bitterness of loneliness".

Scientists in Italy say they have discovered a new species of jellyfish in the Gulf of Venice.

Florence appeals court rules UK student killed by group, driven by desire to bully and humiliate her, not solely by Rudy Guede