Church
Record numbers take part in bishop's Boxing Day pilgrimage
The annual pilgrimage follows in the footsteps of 12th Century Cistercian monks who set off from Ripon Cathedral on 26 December, 1132, to found Fountains Abbey.
Iraqi Christians celebrate Christmas one year after Islamic State defeat
Iraqi Christians quietly celebrated Christmas on Tuesday amid improved security
Differences are not a danger, says Pope Francis in Christmas Day message
Pope Francis has urged people to see their differences as a source of richness and not of danger in his Christmas message to the world.
God's love leaves no room for hatred or tribalism, says Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged people to put aside their differences this Christmas and instead embrace God's language of love.
Remember the poor and shun materialism, pope says on Christmas Eve
Francis, 82 led a solemn service for nearly 10,000 people in St Peter's Basilica for his traditional Christmas Eve Mass.
Libyan authorities exhume bodies of 34 Ethiopian Christian martyrs
The bodies of 34 Ethiopian Christians executed in Libya by Islamic State (IS) in 2015 have been exhumed from a mass grave, Libyan authorities said on Monday.
Pilgrims converge on Bethlehem to celebrate Jesus' birth
The Palestinian town in the Israeli-occupied West Bank is enjoying its busiest Christmas in years, with hotels nearly fully booked and the security situation relatively calm.
Hong Kong Christians wear black to protest China church closures
Christians in Hong Kong are coming to church dressed all in black as a protest against mainland China's crackdown on prominent congregations.
What has Isaiah's Immanuel prophecy got to do with the birth of Jesus?
What's gone before is a picture of muddle and confusion, fear, politics, war, destruction and hunger. We skip all that and go straight to the nice bit.
Dissent in the Church of England over new guidance on transgender services
A member of the Archbishops' Council has pleaded with the leadership of the Church of England to stop being 'hijacked' by 'very small special interest groups'.
Christmas traditions 'create a sense of stability', says Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is encouraging people to escape the Brexit chaos by indulging in a panto, nativity play or other time-honoured Christmas traditions.
No need to edit 'Virgin's womb' out of 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', say CofE bishops
The Bishop of Crediton said there was no need to be 'squeamish' about references to the Virgin Mary's womb.
Archbishop of Canterbury pays tribute to Paddy Ashdown
Former leader of the Liberal Democrats Paddy Ashdown died on Saturday at the age of 77 after being treated for bladder cancer.
Pope urges predator priests to turn themselves in
Vatican sources believed it was the first time the pope had made such a direct appeal.
O come, all ye faithful: 5 reasons to sing Christmas carols
From Australia to Argentina to Anchorage, the message of Jesus will resonate from the mouths of his people in the same melodies and lyrics that his people have been singing for centuries.
John's Gospel: Christmas on a cosmic scale
It's all too easy over the Christmas season to swap the important stuff for the big, shiny festive stuff and end up disappointed.