Eugenio Scalfari claimed in La Repubblica that the Pope told him the souls of sinners 'disappear'

Pope Francis is on record as affirming its existence

A Chinese paper said a deal could be signed this Easter

At the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, the Pope said priests should not 'idolise' Church law

Many staff believe much-needed reforms will simply not happen

Feminists are drawn to St Mary Magdalene because they are blind to her true Gospel significance

Holy Saturday is the Church's own 'black hole' before the glory of Easter

Ross Douthat's book examines the deepest divisions in the Catholic Church

Conversions are on the increase in some unexpected places

Inasmuch as it is an excessive exultation of human achievements and capabilities, triumphalism can only ever be an impediment to the Church’s mission. Any deviation from the path of humility exemplified in the life and ministry of Our Saviour inevitably takes us into a dead end in which we cannot expect him to bless our

✣ Vatican official resigns after ‘lettergate’ What happened? The Vatican’s communications chief has resigned after being accused of manipulating a letter from Benedict XVI. Mgr Dario Viganò had asked Benedict to endorse a series of books on the theology of Pope Francis. Benedict declined, criticising the choice of authors. Mgr Viganò partially concealed these sections –

✣ Highlights from the week online Why the Devil can’t stand normal Catholics “What does the Devil hate?” asked Fr Dwight Longenecker at his blog. The answer was “supernatural normalcy”. “Satan loves everything that is perverted, twisted, destroyed and diseased.” Therefore he hates “all that is natural and free and good and wholesome and normal