VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Once a cushy reward, the position of cardinal under Francis comes with expectations of being less a ‘prince of the church’ than an exemplar of transparency.

(RNS) Over seven years, Pope Francis has gradually remade the college of cardinals, making it less European and more African and Asian.

(AP) — In the surprise announcement, made from his studio window to faithful standing below in St. Peter’s Square, Francis said the churchmen would be elevated to a cardinal’s rank in a ceremony on Nov. 28.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The day after resigning, Cardinal Angelo Becciu defended himself from accusations that he had mismanaged funds, saying during an impromptu press conference that he remains a ‘faithful servant’ of the pope.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Since becoming pope, Francis has tried to reform the Catholic Church with a series of broad gestures and systematic, long-term changes.

(RNS) — The McCarrick report needs to respond to simple questions that may require complex answers: Who knew what, when and where about McCarrick’s activities?

Vatican City, (RNS) — With the creation of these new Catholic princes who share Francis’ emphasis on a missional and evangelizing church, Francis has now named a total of 91 new cardinals, and more than 52% of the voting cardinals.

(RNS) — By making these men cardinals, the pope is handing them megaphones.

(RNS) — After Oct. 15, 53% of the cardinal electors will have been appointed by Francis.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, refutes Archbishop Carlo Vigano’s claim that Pope Francis released ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick from sanctions imposed by Pope Benedict.

(RNS) The church has no more power over a priest than any corporation has over an employee. A priest or bishop can refuse to accept punishment and simply walk away.

(RNS) — Pope Francis continues to remake the College of Cardinals so that almost half of the men who will choose his successor have been chosen by him.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) By next month he will have made cardinals in 13 countries who’ve never had them before, including places such as the Pacific island of Tonga, Haiti, and Myanmar.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff’s exhortation, at a ceremony to elevate 17 new cardinals, seemed to take aim at nationalist anger roiling countries around the world, including the U.S.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Many of the 17 churchmen the pontiff will honor with a red hat on Saturday were as stunned as everyone else that they were chosen. That’s because Francis is his own executive search firm.