(RNS) Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit Philadelphia in 2015, and while the trip may not happen at all -- Benedict would be 88 -- it nonetheless directly relates to a host of issues between the Vatican and the U.S. church that have dominated recent headlines. By David Gibson.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) A long-running conflict between the Vatican and American nuns exploded again with the condemnation of a popular book on sexual ethics by Sister Margaret A. Farley, citing problematic passages on homosexuality, divorce and masturbation. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) Leaders representing most of the nation‚'s 57,000 Catholic nuns on Friday (June 1) said a Vatican crackdown on their group was based on "unsubstantiated" allegations, and caused "scandal and pain'' in the church. By David Gibson.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The butler who is under arrest for stealing Pope Benedict XVI's secret papers was known by everyone as a devout and good man. And as the investigation continues, few believe he may have acted alone. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The president of the Vatican Bank was forced to resign Thursday after a months-long dispute over implementing new financial transparency rules to bring the Vatican in line with other institutions. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has published the rules used to judge alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary as more and more sightings gather widespread publicity before the church has been able to judge them. By Alessandro Speciale.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has wrapped up his regular meetings with small groups of U.S. bishops, touching all the hot-button issues of the presidential campaign, from same-sex marriage to religious freedom, and many more. Here's a recap of what he said. By Alessandro Speciale.

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.

(RNS) Now it turns out that conservative U.S. churchmen living in Rome, including disgraced former Boston Cardinal Bernard Law, were key players in pushing the Vatican crackdown on U.S. nuns. By David Gibson.

WASHINGTON (RNS) As Pope Benedict XVI marks the seventh anniversary of his papacy with a crackdown on American nuns, many Catholics are wondering if the pontiff is finally becoming the papal enforcer that some feared – and others hoped – he was elected in 2005. By David Gibson.