What started as a small tournament for clergy in the Eternal City has become a global attraction, as many international seminarians studying in Rome compete for the sought-after prize.

It took more than 12 years to sort through, organize and catalogue the enormous quantity of information from Pope Pius XII's long pontificate. The open collection also includes thousands of notes regarding Pope Pius' charitable activity in Italy and abroad.

It was the pope’s first public appearance in four days.

The pope’s spokesman said “his other meetings proceed regularly.” His words were intended to downplay the concern that his condition might be in any way serious.

Some Jewish groups and historians have said Pius, who was pope from 1939-1958, stayed silent during the Holocaust and didn't do enough to save lives.

Three former students at a school for the deaf in Argentina traveled to Rome to demand Pope Francis and Vatican officials release records on priests who abused them and other students.