Spiritual Practices

The pope is in critical condition. It's a reminder for older adults to take respiratory infections seriously - even if you're not as old as the pontiff.

Pope Francis "is more unwell than yesterday", the Vatican said in a statement.

"Is he out of danger? No. But if the question is 'is he in danger of death?', the answer is 'no'," Dr Sergio Alfieri, who's in charge of the Pope's care, said.

A funeral home was set on fire at 10am on Saturday morning and four churches set a light overnight - two other churches were targeted.

Pope Francis is "slightly improving" and his blood analyses are stable, the Vatican said, in the latest sign of progress as the 88-year-old pontiff battles double pneumonia.

Francis, 88, was admitted to a Rome hospital on Friday with a respiratory tract infection.

Zeena Ali asked if she could wear her hijab as part of her NZ police uniform. The response was, "What's that?"

A woman successfully appealed an MSD decision refusing to cover food costs for her husband's tangi in a funeral grant.

Millions of Hindu devotees are bathing in sacred waters as the world's biggest religious gathering begins in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

A gathering that dates back thousands of years is now so large its bright lights can be seen from space.

Around 200 cups, in Europe alone, are said to be the Holy Grail. But what makes one cup holy - but not another?

In his Christmas Day "Urbi et Orbi" address, Pope Francis addressed the Ukraine conflict and called for "the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation".

"We don't have Santa here, he hasn't visited for about 50 years": Why the Wangkarnal crow brings presents every Christmas in one remote part of Australia.

The premier of New South Wales has condemned Islamophobic graffiti that has sprung up in western Sydney.

Opinion - As a sequel to Disney's Pasifika hit Moana hits cinemas, Mike Ross looks at how it captures the courage of its Pacific characters.