In video message, pontiff highlights the heavy toll paid by Iraqi Christian communities, laments there have been 'too many martyrs'

Pontiff's talks with Ali al-Sistani will implicitly recognize him as Shiite Islam's chief interlocutor over his rival, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Vatican says that if pandemic permits, Francis will travel in March to the 'plains of Ur,' where biblical patriarch is said to have been born