FAITH/STORIES
After a five-day trip to Portugal, which recently came to terms with its own clerical sex abuse crisis, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church must abandon its practice of covering up abuse and instead be "very open" about how it is confronting the crime.
Arriving at the edge of the European continent for World Youth Day, Pope Francis urged Portuguese officials to return to their maritime roots by setting sail toward new horizons of hope and helping build a Europe "capable of recovering its youthful heart."
Destroying grain is a "grave offense to God," Pope Francis said, appealing to authorities in Russia as "my brothers" and urging them to resume cooperating with a United Nations' initiative to guarantee the safe transport of grain out of Ukraine.
Vatican prosecutor accuses cardinal of orchestrating failed investment
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceThe Vatican's chief prosecuting attorney began his closing arguments outlining final charges against 10 defendants, including a cardinal, stemming from an investigation launched in 2019 by internal reports of suspicious financial activity.
Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServicePope Francis named 21 new cardinals, including U.S.-born Archbishop Robert F. Prevost, who took the helm at the Dicastery for Bishops in April, and French Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States.
New prefect of doctrinal office affirms natural truth about marriage
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceThe Catholic Church must take great care to avoid rites or blessings that suggest marriage is anything other than a sacramental bond between one man and one woman, the incoming prefect of the Vatican's doctrinal office said.
Vatican aims to return Ukrainian children, not mediate war, says cardinal
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceThe Vatican is developing a plan to return to Ukraine children illegally deported to Russia but is not jockeying to mediate the war, Pope Francis' peace envoy said upon his return from his mission to Moscow.
Greed, selfishness stand in the way of peace, Pope Francis tells Orthodox leaders
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceAll wars are "utter disasters" for everyone, especially families, children, the elderly, refugees, communities and creation, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis, Council of Cardinals look at need to reform diocesan chanceries
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceWith the help of an expert canon lawyer, Pope Francis and members of his international Council of Cardinals discussed ways that the principles behind his reform of the Roman Curia also can be reflected in the structuring and functioning of diocesan chanceries.
Pope Francis expresses closeness to Orlandi family after new evidence in case
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceForty years since the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, a Vatican schoolgirl who mysteriously vanished at the age of 15, Pope Francis publicly expressed his closeness to her family.
Pope asks for prayers for victims of 'brutal attack' in Ugandan school
By Ngala Killian Chimtom, öÏÓãÊÓƵapp NewsUgandans woke up June 17 to the shock of a school massacre in which at least 39 students and two community members were killed.
Vatican judges order climate activists to pay $30,000 in damages
By Justin McLellan, Catholic News ServiceThe Vatican's criminal court ordered two climate activists to pay more than $30,000 in damages after they glued themselves to an ancient sculpture in the Vatican Museums to draw attention to the effects of climate change.
Act of reparation performed on altar of St. Peter's Basilica
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceCardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, celebrated a penitential rite at the basilica's main altar June 3 after a man climbed up on it naked before being apprehended.