Sylvia Poggioli

European Union officials will be closely monitoring results of the local votes on Sunday that are seen as a bellwether for the fate of the national government.

The right-wing League party has been booted out of Italy's federal government, but could make a comeback. Sunday's local elections in Emilia-Romagna are seen as a test of the party's strength.

Pope Benedict promised to remain out of sight when he retired in 2013. Instead he has ignited a firestorm over the importance of priestly celibacy, an issue Pope Francis is currently weighing.

Pope Francis has abolished the highest level of secrecy used to protect pedophiles within the Catholic Church and also made changes to what the Vatican considers child pornography.

They aim to pack public squares like sardines in a can, in protest against the far-right, anti-immigrant wave rising in Italian society and politics.

The month-old "Sardines" movement in Italy is gaining momentum, drawing huge crowds of people rallying against racism and populism.

Rising sea levels are not the only threat to Venice. As residents continue to leave, the city risks becoming an empty shell sinking under mass tourism. Some 30 million visitors arrive every year.

Venetians fear for the future of their city. Inundation by high tides and tourists is wrecking the island city's cultural heritage and may ultimately render Venice unlivable.

The Italian city is reeling from a week in which floodwaters damaged the city's cultural legacy, as well as homes and businesses. Volunteers are helping salvage precious books, among other items.

Venice is underwater after being hit with three massive tides in just one week. The city's landmarks and artifacts are at risk of suffering irreversible damage.

Venice is "on its knees," says the mayor as the island city suffers its worst flooding in more than 50 years. Water covering the city is more than six feet higher than normal.

"This is a real crisis for all of us, of all the system, of all the democracy," says the head of Rome's Jewish community. "That means that she must be protected from the hate as it was in the past."

The Trump administration is imposing tariffs on number of European products including Italian cheese, which has cheesemakers there furious.

The Vatican has wrapped up a synod — a special gathering of bishops — for the Amazon region.

Winemakers in some of Italy's most prominent regions are adapting to climate change to protect the quality of their world-famous wines.

Even before the synod began, traditionalists were angered by the suggestion that, to offset a shortage of priests in the Amazon, married men might be ordained to serve in remote communities.

Over 200 priests, bishops and nuns are gathering at the Vatican for a three-week meeting focusing on the Amazon. Among the topics: ordaining older, married men to serve in remote communities.

Pope Francis says he welcomes "loyal" criticism but in comments to reporters, he said some critics "smile at you and then they try to stab you in the back."

Pope Francis this week heads to Africa to visit Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. He will focus on environmental and political issues — as well as spiritual.

Italy's prime minister has announced his resignation — blaming his right-wing coalition partner for withdrawing his support.