Pope Francis
Nice guy or tough guy? The two faces of Pope Francis
By Christopher Lamb — June 19, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Underneath the pope’s compassion is a steely side, which he’s particularly ready to use when it comes to priests, bishops or cardinals he feels are undermining the church’s mission.
Catholic groups launch conversation about female deacons
By Josephine McKenna — June 15, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pope has ruled out the ordination of women as priests, but he may endorse women deacons.
Pope Francis shakes up Vatican bioethics board
By Josephine McKenna — June 13, 2017
(RNS) While Francis has upheld church opposition to abortion, his choice of board members may reflect a desire for a less combative tone on the issue.
Politics, culture or theology? Why evangelicals back Trump on global warming
By David Gibson — June 9, 2017
(RNS) They may be taking the Bible literally, which could explain their climate change skepticism. Some experts say it’s more complicated than that.
Pence defends Trump as champion of Catholic values
By Lauren Markoe — June 6, 2017
(RNS) Speaking at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Pence said Trump is a leader for the issues Catholics care about most: protection of the unborn, religious freedom and Christians suffering for their faith in the Middle East.
This Vatican adviser is moving Catholics toward LGBT inclusion
By Jonathan Merritt — June 6, 2017
(RNS) James Martin says LGBT people are treated like lepers in the Catholic Church, and it's time for this to change.
Strong religious reaction to Trump climate accord decision
By Madeleine Buckley — June 1, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) While leaders of the so-called religious left were overwhelmingly critical of the move, conservatives were somewhat divided.
At Cannes, Wim Wenders talks about making movies that matter
By A.J. Goldmann — June 1, 2017
CANNES, France (RNS) 'It’s not so much the story, but something more essential, which is: Why are we here and what are we living for?' said Wim Wenders at a forum on religion and art. 'Every movie has to respond to that.'
Pope Francis ally says Trump exit from climate accord would be a ‘slap’ in the face
By Josephine McKenna — June 1, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) At their historic meeting last week, the pope gave Trump a copy of his 2015 encyclical, which warns of the grave consequences caused by climate change, and the president promised to read it.
Vatican scraps plan for pope to go to South Sudan this year
By Yonat Shimron — May 30, 2017
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) No official reason was given for the cancellation but Vatican and church sources said it was a combination of security concerns and logistics.
Is Melania’s marriage valid in the eyes of her church?
By Mark Silk — May 30, 2017
(RNS) Not if her husband didn't get his previous marriages annulled.
Trump and Francis: Détente, not armistice
By Massimo Faggioli — May 28, 2017
ROME (RNS) The most important fact about this meeting was that it took place at all.
Eyeing Catholic demographics, and maybe his successor, Pope Francis shakes up his cardinals
By Christopher Lamb — May 25, 2017
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 stargazers look for divine inspiration
By Josephine McKenna — May 24, 2017
(RNS) — 'The observatory exists to show the world that the Catholic Church supports science,' says Brother Guy Consolmagno, an astronomer from Detroit who is also the observatory’s director.
