Vatican
Pope Francis will try to break out of ‘the bubble’ on his US trip, details show
By David Gibson — June 30, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis’ itinerary for his Sept. 22-27 U.S. visit shows how this “pope of the people” wants to avoid becoming a prisoner of the East Coast “power corridor” during his five days in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
Where you can see Pope Francis in the US in September
By David Gibson — June 30, 2015
(RNS) The Vatican on Tuesday (June 30) released details of Pope Francis' itinerary for his Sept. 22-27 visit to the U.S., his first to this country. He will be arriving from Cuba, where he will spend three days, and will visit Washington, New York and Philadelphia. Here are all the details ...
Rome summit looks to improve church’s handling of child sexual abuse
By Rosie Scammell — June 25, 2015
ROME (RNS) As the Vatican continues to work on policies to combat clergy sex abuse, a leading pontifical university in Rome hosted a conference this week on how the Catholic Church can better address the current crisis and released details of a new diploma program on protecting children.
Vatican road map for fall meeting on families features roadblocks, too
By Rosie Scammell — June 23, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Vatican officials on Tuesday released a document on family values -- a precursor to a major meeting in October -- that underscores the ongoing tension between Pope Francis' desire for a more "welcoming" church and the need to hew to long-standing tradition and doctrine.
Pope Francis goes off script in visit to see Shroud of Turin
By Rosie Scammell — June 22, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Monday (June 22) concluded a whirlwind two-day visit to Turin in northern Italy, during which his lively, often extemporaneous conversations covered everything from chastity to the arms trade.
Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical is even more radical than it appears (COMMENTARY)
By Jay Michaelson — June 19, 2015
(RNS) "Laudato Si'" may turn out to be politically influential. It is already theologically revolutionary.
Pope chides world powers for failing to push for peace in Syria
By Rosie Scammell — June 19, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Friday said the international community has not done enough to find a solution to the Syrian conflict, and said the country’s Christians had been united by “the blood of the martyrs” lost in war.
Pope Francis’ environment encyclical: game-changer or dead letter?
By David Gibson — June 18, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis’ landmark document on protecting the environment and battling climate change is finally out after months of anticipation -- and anxiety -- that in the history of encyclicals is probably rivaled only by Pope Paul VI’s 1968 letter banning artificial birth control. But will it have an effect? Here are four challenges Francis faces going forward.
Pope Francis challenges humanity to fight global warming in historic encyclical
By Rosie Scammell — June 18, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) By stating the problem so clearly, and in a church document of such gravity, Francis immediately pushes global warming and the environment to the top of the church's social agenda.
The Earth is becoming a ‘garbage dump’ and other unofficial quotes from environmental encyclical
By David Gibson — June 16, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis states clearly that global warming is a fact and mankind has contributed to it. Above all, he stresses that everyone has a moral duty to work to mitigate the effects of climate change to avert a worldwide disaster.
The ‘Splainer: What is an encyclical?
By David Gibson — June 15, 2015
(RNS) When Al Smith ran for president in 1928, his status as the first Catholic to head a major party ticket was challenged on the basis that he would have to follow papal encyclicals, not the U.S. Constitution. “What the hell is an encyclical?” Smith reportedly replied.
Minneapolis Archbishop John Nienstedt resigns after charges over abuse scandal
By David Gibson — June 15, 2015
(RNS) The Vatican launched a major housecleaning of the scandal-plagued Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The moves seem to mark another step in Pope Francis’ new “get tough” policy on bishops.
Vatican orders former Dominican Republic archbishop to stand trial on child abuse charges
By Rosie Scammell — June 15, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Wesolowski, who had the title archbishop during his five-year post in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic capital, was recalled to the Vatican in 2013. He was later the first person to be arrested inside the Vatican on child abuse charges.
Pope Francis meets Putin for a diplomatically difficult talk
By Rosie Scammell — June 10, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived more than an hour late at the Vatican on Wednesday (June 10) to meet Pope Francis, with pressure mounting on the pontiff to take a hard line on Moscow’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Pope Francis moves to hold bishops accountable in sex abuse crisis
By David Gibson — June 10, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis has approved the first-ever system for judging, and possibly deposing, bishops who fail to protect children from abusive clerics, a major step in responding to Catholics who have been furious that guilty priests have been defrocked while bishops have largely escaped punishment.
