Pope Francis
Pope Francis meets women rescued from sex trade
By Josephine McKenna — August 12, 2016
ROME (RNS) The surprise visit with 20 women rescued from sexual slavery was another sign of the pontiff's strong stance against human trafficking.
Pope Francis, ‘gender ideology’ and our colonialist blinders
By David Gibson — August 11, 2016
(RNS) The pontiff provoked an outcry when he condemned 'ideological colonization' on gender issues. But there’s a context that we in the West must recognize, and work to repair.
Pope Francis invites Syrian refugees to lunch in Vatican
By Josephine McKenna — August 11, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff's gesture was another pointed challenge to sentiment in the West against welcoming refugees from the war-torn region.
Top Catholic bishops criticize Biden for officiating at gay marriage
By David Gibson — August 7, 2016
(RNS) But the three officials were circumspect in their critique and did not mention the vice president by name. Two factors may explain their relative reticence.
What Pope Francis’ visit to Auschwitz means to the Jews
By David Rosen — August 5, 2016
JERUSALEM (RNS) The memory of past hostility toward the Jews enables us to appreciate the remarkable Catholic-Jewish reconciliation of the last 50 years.
Will the Catholic Church have women deacons?
By guest — August 4, 2016
(RNS) Unlike the issue of the priesthood, there is no long list of papal encyclicals and church councils that would prohibit the ordaining of women deacons.
American on women deacons panel: ‘I feel like I’ve won the Academy Award’
By David Gibson — August 3, 2016
(RNS) Phyllis Zagano, a scholar at Hofstra University, is the only American woman named to the Vatican panel that will study whether women can be ordained as deacons.
Pope Francis recalls ‘the souls’ at Auschwitz
By Josephine McKenna — August 3, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Reflecting on his visit to the concentration camp last week, the pontiff said the site also reminded him 'of the cruelties of today, which are similar.'
Pope Francis video extols sports as path to peace ahead of Olympics
By Josephine McKenna — August 2, 2016
ROME (RNS) 'Sports make it possible to build a culture of encounter among everyone for a world of peace,' the pontiff says as balls are shown smashing through walls.
Pope Francis names panel to study ordaining women deacons
By Josephine McKenna — August 2, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The move follows through on a pledge he made to a group of nuns in May, and it reignites the heated debate on what roles Catholic women can fill in the church.
Franklin Graham rebuts pope on Islam: ‘This is a war of religion’
By David Gibson — August 1, 2016
(RNS) The evangelist says the Roman pontiff's latest remarks are dead wrong: 'Radical Islamists are following the teachings of the Quran.'
Pope Francis will await judgment on Cardinal Pell over sex abuse claims
By Josephine McKenna — July 31, 2016
ROME (RNS) Pope Francis said that once Australian judicial authorities complete their investigation of the Vatican's finance chief he will take any necessary action.
In Poland, Pope Francis tries countering message of religious violence
By David Gibson — July 31, 2016
KRAKOW, Poland (RNS) At the World Youth Day gathering that ended here Sunday, the pontiff encouraged a positive role for faith.
Pope condemns ‘wave of terror,’ urges young people to shun indifference
By Yonat Shimron — July 30, 2016
KRAKOW, Poland — 'Once and for all, may we realize that nothing justifies shedding the blood of a brother or sister,' the pope told a gathering of youth.
Francis writes an appeal for mercy in silent visit to Auschwitz
By guest — July 29, 2016
KRAKOW, Poland (RNS) The pontiff spent intense moments in prayer at the infamous concentration camp, then embraced Holocaust survivors and met some who helped Jews persecuted by the Nazis.