Doctors told the High Court the 18-week fetus' prospects of survival were low. There have been two similar cases in Ireland since 2001; both fetuses died in the womb. The decision won't be appealed.
In his annual Christmas Day blessing, the pontiff condemned killing in Iraq, Syria and Pakistan and the "brutal persecution" of religious and ethnic minorities.
Despite detractors within the church, Pope Francis' emphasis on humility and mercy has won him strong support worldwide. He has addressed thorny issues such as Vatican finances and clerical sex abuse.
This Christmas, images of Mary created over five centuries glow on the walls of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Curator Kathryn Wat says that, to her, Mary represents bravery and strength.
Pope Francis gave a harsh Christmas speech this week, diagnosing the Vatican leadership with "spiritual Alzheimers." Vatican watcher Rocco Palmo tells NPR's Audie Cornish about the pope's message.
A woman is in custody and the atheist group behind the display said it plans to press charges. The diorama of Lucifer falling into the flames of hell was part of the rotunda's free speech zone.
The country's tiny Jewish community is embracing the breakthrough. But some Catholics feel betrayed by President Obama's overtures to Cuba's communist government.
He accused the Curia, which oversees the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, of "spiritual Alzheimer's" and careerism. Francis has made reforming the Vatican a major part of his agenda.
Weekend Edition staff have been picking their favorite interviews from 2014. Editor Natalie Winston talks with NPR's Rachel Martin about an interview with an evangelical Christian climate scientist.