Pope's pilgirmage to Nicaea, 800 years of Canticle of the Creatures, Pope calls for global peace in "State of the World," New Papal Preacher, 21 Baptized in Sistine Chapel.

The pursuit of Christian unity has been a central mission of the Church, since the Second Vatican Council. Now, in the Jubilee Year of Hope, this mission takes centre stage in Rome.

In 1225, ailing and nearly blind, St. Francis of Assisi composed the timeless Canticle of the Creatures, celebrating creation's beauty and life's mystery.

After a remarkable 44 years of preaching done by Raniero Cantalamessa, last December Father Roberto Pasolini was appointed as the new Preacher of the Papal Household.

Pope Francis opened his annual meeting with Holy See diplomats by calling for unity. A meeting both formal and familial, the Pope urged nations to focus on shared bonds over divisions.