Roman Curia
The good, the bad and the merciful: Pope Francis after six years
By Thomas Reese — March 12, 2019
(RNS) — Pope Francis' strength is as a pastor who calls people to conversion. He does not think like an administrator, one who establishes policies and structures to ensure things are done properly.
Bishops in Rome struggle to find way to investigate bishops
By Thomas Reese — February 22, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — How to deal with bishops' abuse or negligence is the biggest problem ahead for the Vatican conference on clergy sexual abuse meeting in Rome this week.
Pope to church: Bring abusers to justice
By Thomas Reese — January 2, 2019
(RNS) — Roman Catholic bishops have been put on notice the purpose of their upcoming meeting to discuss clergy sexual abuse is not to debate whether there is a crisis or how serious it is.
Doubts about Viganò’s accusations aside, Pope Francis needs a better response
By Thomas Reese — August 28, 2018
(RNS) — No proponent of transparency while U.S. nuncio, Archbishop Vigano now paints himself a born-again defender of the abused. The Vatican's only credible response is to say what it knew and when.
Francis cardinals make up almost half of electors of next pope
By Thomas Reese — May 22, 2018
(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.
Is Pope Francis really facing a coup? Or just ‘fake news’?
By David Gibson — March 10, 2017
(RNS) As the pontiff marks the fourth anniversary of his election, reports of plotting in the Vatican and a 'civil war' in the Catholic Church are rampant. But a reality check suggests a different story.
Top Vatican cardinal rejects abuse victim’s critique, denies opposing Pope Francis
By Josephine McKenna — March 6, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Gerhard Mueller's remarks may only inflame a controversy that is complicating the pontiff's efforts to fight clergy sex abuse.
Resistance to Vatican reform inspired by the devil, Pope Francis tells Curia
By Josephine McKenna — December 22, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his annual Christmas address to the Vatican bureaucracy, the pontiff welcomed 'healthy' resistance to his overhaul but blasted 'malicious resistance' as inspired by the devil.
Cardinal Burke insists he is serving Francis, not opposing him
By David Gibson — August 22, 2016
(RNS) Ever since Pope Francis was elected, he has faced strong opposition to his push for church reforms -- and the face of that opposition has often been Cardinal Raymond Burke.
Vatican court sentences monsignor to 18 months in ‘Vatileaks’ case
By David Gibson — July 7, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A lay woman who was convicted of helping the priest leak documents on the Vatican’s financial problems was given 10 months, but she recently gave birth and the sentence was suspended.
Two popes share a Vatican stage and show only one is in charge
By David Gibson — June 28, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis honored Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the 65th anniversary of the retired pope's ordination -- an appearance that tamped down the 'two popes' debate.
Vatican signs new contract with external financial auditor
By Yonat Shimron — June 10, 2016
(RNS) Resumption of PwC’s work comes almost two months after the original audit was suspended.
Vatican monsignor confesses to church court he leaked documents
By Rosie Scammell — March 14, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Monsignor Angelo Lucio Vallejo Balda told Vatican prosecutors he passed the documents to journalists while he was distraught following the end of a close friendship with a woman who is also on trial.
Pope Francis opts for honey over vinegar in Curia address. But will it work?
By David Gibson — December 21, 2015
(RNS) If the pope seemed to strike a lighter tone during his benchmark Christian address, Francis made it clear he won’t let up on his drive to overhaul the church.
Pope Francis tells Vatican bureaucracy reform will go ahead with ‘firm resolve’
By Reuters — December 21, 2015
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) At the start of traditional Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia the pope said he was suffering from flu and excused himself for reading the speech sitting down. But his voice was strong and he showed no signs of weakening on his overhaul at the top.
