VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI thanked American nuns for their “fidelity and self-sacrifice” in a speech to U.S. bishops in Rome. He also praised the American church’s efforts in favor of immigration reform. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Reconciliation between the Vatican and a conservative breakaway group will require "further discussions" the Vatican doctrinal office said on Wednesday, while stressing that each member of the group will have to agree on key points of Catholic doctrine, including relationship with the Jews. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has settled a lawsuit with Benetton clothing group for using the image of Pope Benedict XVI kissing a Muslim imam in an ad campaign. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) She is revered both by radical feminists and by Pope Benedict XVI, who has often turned to her in the most difficult moments of his pontificate: Hildegard von Bingen, a 12th-century German prophetess who was officially declared a saint by Benedict on Thursday. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI told U.S. bishops that Catholic colleges must ensure the doctrinal fidelity of their faculty, after some high-profile theologians teaching at Catholic universities have come under scrutiny from doctrinal watchdogs in the U.S. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Proponents of euthanasia and fetus selection still use the same arguments used by the authors of a key text for Nazi extermination program, the Vatican's semiofficial newspaper said. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has issued new regulations for Caritas Internationalis, the umbrella body for Catholic charities such as Catholic Relief Services worldwide, under which they will operate more like a Church body and less like an non-governmental organization. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A senior Vatican official on Tuesday (April 17) called for stronger protection for conscientious objection for both the Catholic Church and individual Catholics when they are faced with laws that conflict with their “moral norms.” By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI turns 85 and marks the seventh anniversary of his papacy amid renewed speculations about his health and possible resignation. By Alessandro Speciale.