Pope Francis
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during a ceremony to sign the treaties for four regions of Ukraine to join Russia, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. The signing of the treaties making the four regions part of Russia follows the completion of the Kremlin-orchestrated "referendums." (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
IOC's Bach eyes return to sports for anti-war Russians

By Graham Dunbar Sep. 30, 2022 11:31 AM EDT

In this undated photo made available by Athletica Vaticana on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, Dutch-born cyclist Rien Schuurhuis, center, poses with his team in front of St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican. Schuurhuis will race for the Vatican in the Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022 road race at the cycling world championships in Wollongong, Australia. It's the first time that the Vatican has entered a team for the event. Chiara Porro, Schuurhuis' wife, is Australia's ambassador to the Holy See. (Ivan Sommonte/Athletica Vaticana)
Vatican cyclist spreading the pope's message at worlds

By Andrew Dampf Sep. 23, 2022 08:50 AM EDT

Pope Francis, center, flanked by Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, left, and Monsignor Guido Marini, blesses the attendance at the end his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 02, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope hails Paralympians, refugee athletes in Olympic message

Feb. 02, 2022 08:21 AM EST

Romain Cannone of France, left, and Gergely Siklosi of Hungary compete in the men's individual final Epee competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Olympics Latest: Rashitov wins taekwondo gold at Tokyo Games

Jul. 24, 2021 08:59 PM EDT