Roman Curia
Who rules in Rome: Pope Francis or the Roman Curia? A papal blueprint faces red tape
By David Gibson — September 23, 2015
(RNS) There have been other attempts to reorganize the Curia, but many have resisted efforts to reform the papal bureaucracy; they know that popes come and go, but the Vatican civil service remains.
Pope Francis has history, but not time, on his side in reform push
By David Gibson — March 11, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) At 78, Pope Francis isn't expected to have a lengthy pontificate. So how does he beat the clock to ensure his reforms live on after he does?
Two years in, Pope Francis faces headwinds in reforming the Vatican. Here’s how he can prevail
By David Gibson — March 9, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Transforming the dynamic of Vatican power is key to what Pope Francis considers his greater goal: reorienting Catholicism itself to face the new challenges of the third millennium.
Pope Francis tells new cardinals to be models of love, not brooding schemers
By David Gibson — February 14, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Avoid “that smoldering anger which makes us brood over wrongs we have received," Francis told the new princes of the church. “No! This is unacceptable in a man of the church."
Pope Francis diversifies his cardinals. But will they have clout where it counts?
By David Gibson — February 13, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “You see the function of cardinal, the position of a cardinal, is changing,” Cardinal-designate Berhaneyesus Souraphiel of Ethiopia said. “It's no more a big honorific task.”
Pope Francis wants ‘absolute transparency’ as he pushes Vatican reform
By David Gibson — February 12, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The overhaul is taking longer than expected and is still encountering resistance. But Francis is gathering 150 cardinals in Rome for two days to press ahead.
Pope Francis faces a big week in his effort to reform the Vatican
By David Gibson — February 9, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Even more important, and perhaps more difficult, than changing the Vatican’s structure is changing the culture of the place.
The Vatican vs. the nuns: 3 takeaways from Tuesday’s report
By David Gibson — December 16, 2014
(RNS) The "War on Women" is over, and other conclusions from the Vatican investigation of women’s religious communities in the U.S.
Is Benedict XVI the REAL pope? 4 factors fueling Vatican conspiracy theories
By David Gibson — November 26, 2014
When Benedict XVI stunned Catholics by announcing that he would resign, it immediately sparked concerns – which were dismissed just as quickly – that having an ex-pope around could undermine the legitimacy of his successor. Now those fears are emerging again as conservative Catholics continue to express doubts about the agenda of Pope Francis while Benedict remains a player in intrachurch debates.
Pope Francis wanted open debate. With clashing cardinals, he’s got it
By David Gibson — October 2, 2014
(RNS) Throughout the history of the church, apostles and bishops and theologians have often clashed, publicly and sometimes fiercely, to reach a conclusion on the very essentials of the faith.
Pope Francis heads East, pointing to a new future for his Western church
By David Gibson — August 8, 2014
(RNS) Upcoming trips to Asia highlight Pope Francis’ push to globalize and reform a Catholic Church that is still very much centered on what happens in Rome.
Advisers urge Pope Francis to slow down for a summer break
By David Gibson — June 6, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) Last summer, Pope Francis did not take a break and did not decamp to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, a move church officials said was part of his desire to downplay the trappings of the papacy and to save money.
Cardinal Kasper is enjoying the spotlight, and taking heat, as the ‘pope’s theologian’
By David Gibson — May 15, 2014
(RNS) Cardinal Walter Kasper has been enjoying the kind of influence that a short time ago would have been as unimaginable as, well, the kinds of reforms that Pope Francis has been promoting.
Nuns say they will continue dialogue despite Vatican criticisms
By David Gibson — May 9, 2014
(RNS) Representatives of most of the 50,000 sisters in the U.S. flatly rejected the charges by Cardinal Gerhard Mueller but said their conversation “was constructive in its frankness and lack of ambiguity.”
Cardinal Kasper, the ‘pope’s theologian,’ downplays Vatican blast at U.S. nuns
By David Gibson — May 6, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) Just as Pope Francis has downplayed rules and hot-button issues in an effort to widen the church's appeal, Cardinal Walter Kasper has pushed the importance of pastoral flexibility and realism in walking with Catholics throughout their imperfect lives.