Pope Francis
Pope Francis meets ex-priests in gesture of mercy
By Josephine McKenna — November 11, 2016
ROME (RNS) The surprise visit to meet several men who left the priesthood and started a family could send a powerful message to church leaders.
Pope Francis reminds Donald Trump not to forget the poor
By Josephine McKenna — November 11, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his first comments published since the election, the pontiff does not judge the president-elect but notes dangers in the fears Trump has raised.
Cardinal Raymond Burke: Trump will defend human life from conception
By Josephine McKenna — November 10, 2016
(RNS) The conservative prelate said Trump understood the values of fundamental importance to Catholics and would do anything possible to halt abortion.
New Jersey meets its new, and first, Catholic cardinal
By David Gibson — November 7, 2016
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) Cardinal-designate Joseph Tobin spoke of the shocking and 'gut-wrenching' transfer from Indianapolis -- but also showed the new kind of pastor he will be.
Pope Francis gives N.J. its first cardinal – and ups the ante on church reform
By David Gibson — November 7, 2016
(RNS) By moving Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin to Newark the pontiff ignored protocol – and showed he’s serious about changing how the Catholic Church operates.
Pope Francis’ short trip to Sweden a big step on a longer journey
By David Gibson — November 2, 2016
ROME (RNS) The pontiff wanted to use the anniversary of the Reformation to set ecumenism on a new path that stresses a shared witness. But will that convince a skeptical world?
Pope says he believes ban on female priests is forever
By Yonat Shimron — November 1, 2016
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — 'St. Pope John Paul II had the last clear word on this and it stands, this stands,' Francis said.
Pope Francis praises secular Sweden for taking in asylum seekers
By Jerome Socolovsky — November 1, 2016
MALMÖ, Sweden (Reuters) - The main purpose of the pope's two-day trip was to take part in a joint commemoration with Lutherans of the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation.
Pope names Detroit bishop to Guam archdiocese rocked by sex abuse allegations
By Josephine McKenna — October 31, 2016
ROME (RNS) Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Byrnes was appointed to Guam after the archbishop there refused to stand down voluntarily.
False charges of ‘anti-Catholicism’ are anti-Catholic
By David Gibson — October 28, 2016
(RNS) Leaked emails aren't anti-Catholic and neither is Hillary Clinton. But spreading such charges goes against canon law, and is more about politics than the faith.
EXCERPTS: Pope Francis on ecumenism, secularism, terrorism and gossip
By David Gibson — October 28, 2016
(RNS) In a wide-ranging interview published on the eve of his visit to Sweden to mark the anniversary of the Reformation, the pontiff is as quotable as ever.
Harvey Cox seconds Pope Francis on capitalist critique
By Josephine McKenna — October 27, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In another step forward for Catholic-Protestant reconciliation, Pope Francis and one of America's leading Protestant theologians agree on a major heresy: the worship of the free market.
Pope Francis the manager — surprising, secretive, shrewd
By RNS staff — October 26, 2016
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) Pope Francis is keeping his cards close to his chest as he tries to push through a progressive agenda to make the church more welcoming in the face of conservative opposition.
Vatican to Catholics: Cremation can be OK, but don’t scatter ashes!
By Josephine McKenna — October 25, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) New guidelines also forbid loved ones from dividing up the 'cremains' or keeping them in jewelry or on the mantelpiece.
Pope gives up another indulgence: His summer palace
By Josephine McKenna — October 21, 2016
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (RNS) Without ever having spent a night there, the pope ordered Castel Gandolfo, where pontiffs have holidayed for nearly 400 years, be turned into a museum.
