The Church of England banned church weddings for same-sex couples while allowing priests to bless homosexual marriages and partnerships.

Pope Francis of Rome issued two separate statements about his support for homosexuals, which paved the way for the possible Catholic Church's "legitimization" of homosexuality.

Pope Francis clarified recent statements he made about homosexuality and sin, saying they were merely a reference to the official Catholic moral teaching.

Former Pope Benedict XVI has died, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.

Pope Francis' "pilgrimage of repentance" to Canada has not ended the controversy over historical Crusader violations and crimes, bringing it back to the forefront.