Friday February 10, 2006, Rome, Italy

Mourners attend funeral of slain Catholic priest

Clergy members and local residents gathered at Rome's main basilica, St. John Lateran, to honor the memory of the Reverend Andrea Santoro. Santoro, 60, was shot twice in the back while praying in his church, located along the Black Sea coast in Turkey. A sixteen-year-old boy has been charged with the murder.

Cardinal Camillo Ruini (C) spreads incense over the coffin of Andrea Santoro in a darkened church.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday March 4, 2009, Bahua, Uttar Pradesh, India

India's 'Pink' gang fights violence against women and corruption

Hundreds of women in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh have formed a vigilante group calling themselves the "gulabi gang" (pink gang). Led by Sampat Pal Devi, and dressed in bright pink saris, the women have gone after men who have abandoned or beaten their wives, unearthed corruption in the distribution of grain to the poor, stormed a police station and attacked a policeman after they took in an untouchable man and refused to register a case, and fought child marriages, dowry deaths, depleting water resources, farm subsidies and funds being stolen in government projects.

Pink gang members demonstrate demanding employment rights of women

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday July 9, 2008, Toyako, Japan

Berlusconi keeps busy at Sapporo G8

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi meets Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during Toya Lake G8 summit.

Silvio Berlusconi speaks to Brazilian press

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Saturday September 27, 2008, Matera, Italy

Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu Tum

Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum, visits Matera, in southern Italy. Menchu Tum won the Nobel Peace Prize for publicizing the plight of Guatemala's indigenous peoples and promoting indigenous rights in the country.

Rigoberta Menchu Tum looks at the panorama of the Matera's canyons and old city

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Thursday April 10, 2008, Rome, Italy

Alitalia unions continue protests over Air France takeover

Workers from Alitalia's maintenance arm, Atitech, demonstrate in downtown Rome. Italy's government is hoping to convince the struggling airline's unions that a takeover by Air France-KLM is the company's only option.

Alitalia airline pilots take part in the demonstration.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Monday September 15, 2008, Rome, Italy

Alitalia workers protest potential union deal

Alitalia workers demonstrate outside government offices in central Rome. Alitalia's biggest unions clinched an initial deal with the airline's potential buyers, raising hopes it could avoid collapse, but pilots balked and flights risked being grounded for a lack of cash to buy fuel. Italy's four main unions - CGIL, CISL, UIL and UGL - and a consortium offering to buy Alitalia agreed to the rough outline of a rescue plan that would cut about 3,000 jobs but leave 12,500 workers at the slimmed-down airline.

Alitalia stewardesses cover their faces with airline scarves during a protest.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday August 3, 2005, Dakar, Senegal

Football tournament in Bidonville Dakar

Enda Ecopole, a Senegalese NGO, each year organizes a football tournament between youths coming from the poorest neighborhoods of the city This tournament is held at the end of the school year to keep young boys off the streets. Colombane Bidonville players train before the match at Malika soccer field.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday January 4, 2008, Thiaroye Sur Mer, Senegal

Women's association fights illegal immigration

Yayi Bayam Diouf created an association that fights against the illegal immigration of young people form the coast of Senegal, after she lost a son who tried to reach Spain by crossing the sea on a small boat. Their goal is to inspire youth to find a future in Senegal, a dramatic change of mentality for Africa. Along with working to get young people jobs, they also patrol the shoreline, watching for boats that would take the young people out to dangerous seas and reporting them to the police.

Mariane Pearl at the party.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday November 14, 2008, Rome, Italy

Italian students protest against education reform

Students from Italian universities and schools protest against education reforms planned by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's government during a general strike day called by the schools and student organizations.

Students light flares during the demonstration at La Sapienza University

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday September 3, 2008, Venice, Italy

Anne Hathaway arrives at Venice Film Festival

Anne Hathaway attending the 2008 Venice Film Festival to present her latest movie, "Rachel Getting Married," directed by Jonathan Demme.

Anne Hathaway

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Sunday August 31, 2008, Venice, Italy

Kineo Awards party at Venice Film Festival

Celebrities attend Kineo Awards party at Hotel des Bains during Venice Film Festival

Actres Violante Placido

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday August 13, 2008, Castel Gandolfo, Italy

Pope Benedict XVI holds general audience from Summer residence

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his weekly general audience at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, a city on the southern outskirts of Rome.

A young Polish religious pilgrim waves to Pope Benedict XVI during the audience.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday September 5, 2008, Venice, Italy

The Wrestler photo call at Venice Film Festival

Cast of "The Wrestler" attends a photo call to present their movie at Venice Film Festival The Wrestler won the Golden Lion as best movie at the 65th Venice Film Festival

Actor Mickey Rourke

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Tuesday May 20, 2008, Naples, Italy

Garbage emergency in Naples

Garbage emergency in Naples. Tens of thousands of tons of waste have piled up since late last year as a 14-year problem over a lack of incinerators reaches a new peak.

Pedestrians walk next to abandoned garbage at the Centro Direzionale ( offices neighborhood ) of the south Italian city of Naples

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday August 3, 2005, Dakar, Senegal

Football tournament in Bidonville Dakar

Enda Ecopole, a Senegalese NGO, each year organizes a football tournament between youths coming from the poorest neighborhoods of the city This tournament is held at the end of the school year to keep young boys off the streets. Colombane Bidonville players train before the match at Malika soccer field.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday January 18, 2006, Vatican City, Vatican City State

Pope Benedict XVI holds weekly general audience

Pope Benedict XVI holds his weekly general audience in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican. The Pontiff announced that his first encyclical on the different aspects of God's love will be published January 25, 2006, saying it was "providential" that it would be released at the end of a week of prayer for unifying all Christians

Pope Benedict XVI stretches out his arms while seated and surrounded by darkness.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Sunday April 9, 2006, Vatican City, Vatican City State

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Palm Sunday Mass

Pope Benedict celebrates Palms sunday mass opening the Holy week to easter. A crowd of worshippers filled Saint Peter's square holding palm and olives branches.

A nun looks on during the mass.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Sunday April 16, 2006, Vatican City, Vatican City State

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Easter Mass

Easter mass celebration in a Saint Peter's square completely filled of faithfuls. Pope Benedict XVI celebrated the mass and made his speach, calling for peace in the world, from the central balcony of Saint Peter's Basilica. Saint Peter's square fullfilled of faithfuls.

Crowds pack St. Peter's Square.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday April 26, 2006, Rome, Italy

Salma Hayek promotes her latest film in Rome

Actress Salma Hayek is in Rome to promote her latest film, Ask the Dust, directed by Robert Towne.

Salma Hayak

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday August 3, 2005, Dakar, Senegal

Dakar's bidonville soccer tournament

Enda Ecopole, a senegalese NGO, organises every year a soccer tournament between youngs coming from the poorest neighbourhood of the city, at the end of the school season, to keep young boys out of the streets Colombane bidonville players train before the match at Malika soccer field

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday April 7, 2006, Rome, Italy

Romano Prodi closes electoral campaign

Center-left coalition leader and candidate to Italy Prime Minister Romano Prodi participate to a rally in a central square for the end of the elctoral campaign. Romano Prodi is challenging actual Prime Minister and center-right candidate Silvio Berlusconi for political elections wich be held this weekend. Former European Commission president and center-left coalition candidate to Prime minister Romano Prodi.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Thursday April 10, 2008, Rome, Italy

Silvio Berlusconi campaigns in Rome

PDL right wing party premier candidate Silvio Berlusconi campaigns for next weekend's elections outside the Coliseum in Rome. Berlusconi appears poised to defeat rival candidate, former Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni.

Security officials look on as Silvio Berlusconi (top) delivers remarks at the rally.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday January 4, 2008, Thiaroye Sur Mer, Senegal

Women's association fights illegal immigration

Yayi Bayam Diouf created an association that fights against the illegal immigration of young people form the coast of Senegal, after she lost a son who tried to reach Spain by crossing the sea on a small boat. Their goal is to inspire youth to find a future in Senegal, a dramatic change of mentality for Africa. Along with working to get young people jobs, they also patrol the shoreline, watching for boats that would take the young people out to dangerous seas and reporting them to the police.

Yayi Bayam Diouf (C) at the association's peanut shop.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Thursday April 13, 2006, Vatican City, Vatican City State

Pope Benedict XVI leads Chrismal Mass

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Chrismal Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

Clergy members walk through St. Peter's Basilica.

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Thursday January 8, 2009, Rome, Italy

Will Smith presents his film 'Seven Pounds' in Rome

The cast of the movie "Seven Pounds" attends a press event to present their film at a luxury hotel in Rome. The film stars superstar Will Smith as well as actress Rosario Dawson.

Actor Will Smith

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday September 24, 2008, Vatican City, Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates weekly general audience in Saint Peter square

Pope Benedict XVI celebrates his first weekly general audience in Saint Peter square after his return to Vatican City from his summer residence.

Pope Benedict XVI walks in his red shoes after the general audience in Saint Peter square

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday April 14, 2006, Rome, Italy

World has Seven new Wonders and one old one

Pope Benedict XVI leads the traditional Good Friday Via Crocis (Way of the Cross) procession at the ancient colosseum. Thousends of faithfuls , holding a candle , filled the park around the ancient monument to watch the Pope's procession carrying a cross. On July 7, 2007 a global poll decided on the Seven new Wonders of the World: The Great Wall of China, Rome's Colosseum, India's Taj Mahal, Jordan's Petra , Peru's Machu Picchu, Brazil's Statue of Christ Redeemer and Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid. About 100 million votes were cast by the Internet and cellphone text messages. Among the losers: the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Acropolis and Australia's Sydney Opera House. The pyramids of Giza, the only survivor from the original seven wonders retained their status without having to compete. The campaign to name new wonders was launched in 1999 by the Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber. Almost 200 nominations came in, and the list was narrowed to the top 21 choices. There was no way to know if an individual voted more than once.

The Rome Colosseum

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Wednesday March 4, 2009, Achhah, Uttar Pradesh, India

India's 'Pink' gang fights violence against women and corruption

Hundreds of women in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh have formed a vigilante group calling themselves the "gulabi gang" (pink gang). Led by Sampat Pal Devi, and dressed in bright pink saris, the women have gone after men who have abandoned or beaten their wives, unearthed corruption in the distribution of grain to the poor, stormed a police station and attacked a policeman after they took in an untouchable man and refused to register a case, and fought child marriages, dowry deaths, depleting water resources, farm subsidies and funds being stolen in government projects.

Sampat Pal speaks to men of a village trying to get a woman back to her house after she was abandoned by her husband

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Friday August 29, 2008, Venice, Italy

The Burning Plain premieres at Venice Film Festival

Cast members of director Guillermo Arriaga attend the 2008 Venice Film Festival Premiere of his latest work, "The Burning Plain."

Charlize Theron

Credit: Dario Pignatelli / Polaris

Dario Pignatelli