At least 43 migrants drowned in a shipwreck off Tunisia while attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy, with 84 others rescued. The boat, which departed from Zuwara on Libya's northwest coast, carried migrants from Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Bangladesh, according to the Tunisian Red Crescent.

Pope Francis has initiated a synod in Vatican City, involving Roman Catholic bishops, lay people, and women, marking the first time women have voting rights. The meeting, held behind closed doors, will address contentious issues such as the role of women and laypeople in decision-making, the possibility of married priests, and the church's stance on divorce and LGBTQ matters. The synod aims to foster a church that is merciful, united, and open to dialogue. Despite conservative cardinals urging Pope Francis to reaffirm traditional doctrines, he has shown openness to blessing same-sex couples, emphasizing pastoral prudence and inclusivity.

Pope Francis leads a global synod involving bishops, laity, and women to discuss contentious issues within the Catholic Church, including the role of women, the possibility of married priests, and LGBTQ teachings. The four-week meeting, held in Vatican City's Aula Paul VI, aims to foster a more inclusive and merciful Church. Despite conservative cardinals urging the Pope to reaffirm traditional doctrines, Francis remains open to discussions, emphasizing pastoral prudence and unity. Media access is restricted, and participants are instructed not to disclose discussions.

A new museum in Rome, the Rescued Art Museum, has opened to display around 100 valuable artifacts recovered by the Carabinieri art squad. These artifacts, stolen by tomb raiders and illegally exported to the U.S., were returned after over two decades of negotiations and legal proceedings. The museum, suggested by Carabinieri General Roberto Riccardi and supported by Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, aims to showcase these cultural treasures temporarily before returning them to their places of origin. The Carabinieri have recovered over 3 million cultural goods and seized more than 1.3 million fake works of art since the squad's establishment in 1969.

Pope Francis humorously remarked that he needed tequila to cope with knee pain, a comment that went viral. The pope has been dealing with strained ligaments in his right knee, leading to the use of a wheelchair and the cancellation of a trip to Lebanon. Despite concerns about his health, close advisers, including Argentine Bishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, affirm that he remains in good health. The pope has a busy travel schedule, with upcoming trips to the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Canada.

Pope Francis made a fervent appeal for an end to the war in Ukraine during his Easter message, urging the faithful to advocate for peace and the cessation of senseless cruelty and destruction. Addressing tens of thousands of Catholics in St. Peter's Square, he described the occasion as an 'Easter of war' and called for a new dawn of hope. He expressed solidarity with Ukrainian victims, refugees, and displaced persons, and praised the charitable actions of families and communities across Europe. The Pope also highlighted other global conflicts and suffering, emphasizing the universal responsibility to pursue peace.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan at the end of January, a trip previously postponed due to health issues. The visit aims to strengthen faith and promote peace in regions affected by conflict. In the DRC, the Pope will meet with authorities and victims of conflict, while in South Sudan, he will engage with internally displaced persons and participate in an ecumenical prayer service. The visit underscores the Pope's commitment to reconciliation and peace in these regions.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo from January 31 to February 3 and South Sudan thereafter, a trip previously postponed due to his knee ailments. The visit includes meetings with authorities, victims of conflict, and representatives of charitable organizations in Kinshasa, and an ecumenical prayer service and Mass in Juba. The trip aims to awaken and strengthen faith, offer consolation, and heal wounds, especially in the conflict-ridden eastern Congo. The pope has expressed condolences for a recent bombing at a Pentecostal church in Congo and concern for violence in South Sudan, calling for peace and national reconciliation.

Saudi Arabia celebrated the New Year with a special concert at the Hegra archaeological site near Alula. Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its over 100 monumental tombs. The event was organized by Italy's Balich Wonder Studio, which is recognized for their work on Olympic Games ceremonies and other significant shows.

Pope Francis visited Bahrain, marking the first time a head of the Catholic Church has done so and his second trip to a Gulf Arab nation. The visit aimed to improve Catholic-Muslim ties, with Bahrain hosting a small Catholic community of mainly Asian migrants. Despite facing criticism for human rights abuses, Bahrain's government denies such charges. During his visit, Pope Francis called for an end to discrimination and human rights violations, while King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa emphasized religious freedom. At the Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, Pope Francis, alongside Muslim, Christian, and Jewish leaders, urged religions to unite for peace and against the use of violence. The forum also saw calls for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine from both King Hamad and the Grand Imam Ahmed el-Tayeb of al-Azhar University.