"What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered," the pope said in an interview in the film Francesco, which premiered Wednesday at the Rome Film Festival.

Retired Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos was allegedly known as "El Padrino" and worked on behalf of a deadly criminal organization while he was defense chief from 2012 to 2018, according to a court filing.

After explosions convulsed Beirut, here is a selection of photos showing Beirut residents in their destroyed house or workplace, along with a glimpse of their experiences, in their own words.

Fausto Russo has been hospitalized with COVID-19 for over two weeks. On Wednesday, he spoke to NPR and other media by video in Italy.

As we enter 2020, our far-flung journalists take a look back at the past year of reporting and recommend some of their favorite online stories.

China summoned the U.S. ambassador and issued a sharp response over the legislation, which allows the U.S. to sanction individuals who violate Hong Kong residents' rights.

In Iraq and Syria, the ISIS leader's death has stirred a mix of responses — from joy to disbelief to dread that the militants will rise again.

Its environment and population are enduring major shifts as the country goes big on mining and as effects of climate change set in. See Mongolia's changes close up in this immersive photo essay.

History suggests that if the U.S. takes too large a role in the South American country's crisis, it could spark a worse backlash than the original issue, experts and former diplomats warn.

Here is a selection of original reporting from NPR's international correspondents that may have slipped under your radar amid the heavy barrage of news in 2018.

The administration has ramped up rhetoric about what it calls Iran's "malign" behavior, and seems to be trying to encourage Iranians to rise up against their government.

After five years and nearly 3,500 stories — from Pakistan to Papua New Guinea and Paris — the Parallels blog is closing. You'll now find all of NPR's coverage from around the globe at npr.org/world.

Francis invited survivors of clergy abuse to the Vatican so he could apologize and listen. Juan Carlos Cruz says he told the pope, "I don't want this to be a public relations exercise."