By Sonya Dowsett BARCELONA (Reuters) - A stand-off between Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Catalonia, one of the country's wealthiest regions, risks the central government losing control of regional finances as Madrid seeks a softening of deficit targets from Brussels. Catalonia, which accounts for around a fifth of Spain's economy, has yet to present a 2013 budget to parliament and wants more control over the collection of its taxes.

Spain's centre-right government, under pressure from the Catholic Church and its ultraconservative wing, has vowed to "promptly" tighten the nation's abortion laws, angering the opposition Socialist Party which had eased access to the procedure. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy promised during the 2011 election campaign that swept his Popular Party to power to reform the abortion law but the changes to the legislation have been repeatedly put off, prompting a rebuke from the Spanish Church.

Vatican City, Apr 17 (EFE).- Pope Francis was presented with a jersey signed by Argentine soccer star Leo Messi by a group of priests during Wednesday's public audience. Messi's FC Barcelona jersey will join the Spanish national team jersey given to the pontiff on Monday by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy during an audience at the Vatican. The 76-year-old Argentine-born pope, a big soccer fan, has been building up quite a collection of jerseys. His favorite team, Atletico San Lorenzo, recently presented the pope, a season ticket holder, with a jersey.

Madrid, Apr 16 (EFE).- Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Tuesday told U.S. President Barack Obama that he will always find Spain to be an "unconditional ally" in the fight against terrorism, a declaration made in response to the bombings in Boston that left three people dead. In a telegram to Obama, Rajoy also expressed his condolences over the attack, which wounded more than 130, according to a statement released by the Spanish government.