Vatican
Why is Pope Francis spending so much time going after the Mafia?
By Josephine McKenna — July 21, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With his second trip to the heart of Italy's Mafia country, experts are debating the impact of Pope Francis' uncompromising stance against organized crime and what it means for his papacy.
Pope Francis appeals for peace with Shimon Peres, Mahmoud Abbas
By Josephine McKenna — July 18, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican said the pope considers the two men to be “men of peace” and Francis reminded the two leaders of the need for both sides and those who hold political office to work to end the hostilities and promote peace.
Pope Francis raises eyebrows by saying pedophile priests include ‘bishops and cardinals’
By Josephine McKenna — July 14, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "Many of my advisers who are fighting it with me are giving me reliable data that estimates pedophilia inside the church at a level of 2 percent,” Pope Francis was quoted as saying.
Pope Francis’ promised reforms start to take shape with new leaders for Vatican bank
By Josephine McKenna — July 9, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “There are many challenges and much work ahead,” Australian Cardinal George Pell said. “The Holy Father has made it clear these changes should move forward expeditiously.”
Vatican bank profits tumble as Pope Francis orders an overhaul
By Josephine McKenna — July 8, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The bank said the slump was due to extraordinary expenses, losses related to externally managed investment funds and fluctuations in the price of gold.
Pope Francis’ meeting with abuse victims wasn’t a PR stunt, Vatican says
By Josephine McKenna — July 7, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Asked why Pope Francis' first meeting with abuse victims included no Americans, even though the U.S. scandal prompted worldwide attention, the Vatican's chief spokesman said it was “not such an easy thing to organize an event like this.”
Vatican diplomat Jozef Wesolowski convicted of sexual abuse, defrocked from the priesthood
By Josephine McKenna — June 27, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski was removed from his post in the Dominican Republic and recalled to the Vatican last August amid claims that he had abused boys in Santo Domingo.
Vatican confronts shifting landscape on family issues
By Josephine McKenna — June 26, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The document said every bishops’ conference opposed “redefining” marriage between one man and one woman or even recognizing same-sex unions, but said the children of gay couples had the right to be baptized.
Could baptizing children of gay couples become a new battleground?
By David Gibson — June 26, 2014
(RNS) Catholic leaders have carefully, if quietly, avoided doing anything to block gay couples from having their children baptized. But a new policy drafted by a Wisconsin bishop is prompting worries these baptisms may become a new battleground.
Pope Francis says Mafia members are ‘excommunicated’
By Josephine McKenna — June 23, 2014
ROME (RNS) Francis' determination to challenge organized crime groups has provoked warnings that he himself could become a mafia target.
Pope Francis condemns the ‘evil’ of legalizing drugs
By Josephine McKenna — June 20, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “To think that harm can be reduced by permitting drug addicts to use narcotics in no way resolves the problem," Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis to visit the heart of Italy’s mafia country
By Josephine McKenna — June 19, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis' frank determination to challenge organized crime groups has sparked warnings that he could become a mafia target. Last May, he warned mobsters that they would "go to hell" if they did not repent.
Is Pope Francis sick, or just taking a summer break?
By Josephine McKenna — June 18, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has announced the pope will give no midweek general audiences in St Peter’s Square during July, and the intimate Mass he celebrates every day inside the chapel at the St. Martha residence will be suspended from July until September.
Globe-trotting Cardinal Theodore McCarrick is almost 84, and working harder than ever
By David Gibson — June 16, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) When Pope Francis needs a savvy back channel operator, he often turns to retired Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. “Why don’t you ask McCarrick to go?” the cardinal says of the Vatican’s thinking. “He’s usually willing to do these crazy things.”
Pope Francis: ‘Inside every Christian is a Jew’
By Josephine McKenna — June 13, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "Every day, I pray with the Psalms of David," Pope Francis said. "My prayer is Jewish, then I have the Eucharist, which is Christian."
