Father Ray Kelly has been a Catholic priest for 25 years and has always loved to sing but when he decided to surprise a wedding couple with his tailored rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah on 5 April last year, his whole world changed.

Children need to see their parents kiss each other, complement each other and resolve arguments peacefully, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis has approved a new Vatican department which will judge bishops accused of covering up or not preventing the sexual abuse of children.

To overcome fear, discrimination and conflict, people must have a deep desire to open themselves up to God and His mercy, and work actively for peace every day, Pope Francis said.

Church leaders cannot be indifferent to the plight of immigrants, and it is “inexcusable” not to promote co-operation between a host nation and countries of origin, Pope Francis has told bishops from the Dominican Republic.

Some thought this day would never arrive. Others hoped, and some always knew it would. Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez, of El Salvador, who was assassinated in 1980 while celebrating Mass just a day after pleading and ordering soldiers to stop killing innocent civilians, was beatified on May 23.

The gift of the Holy Spirit renews the earth, Pope Francis has said in a statement made during Mass for Pentecost Sunday last weekend at St Peter’s Basilica.

The two new Palestinian saints were instrumental in the promotion of women in the Arab world and in efforts for interreligious dialogue toward peace, said Jordanian Father Rifat Bader.

The second major earthquake in less than three weeks spread renewed fears and dented the confidence of people, said church and charity workers.

Time is running out for victims of Nepal’s earthquake, who are suffering because aid cannot reach them, said Bishop Paul Simick of Nepal.