INSIDER
Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for women
Read full article: Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for womenPope Francis' big Catholic reform project has opened with widespread calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility in the church topping the agenda.
Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victims
Read full article: Pope ends troubled Belgium visit by doubling down on abortion and women and praising abuse victimsPope Francis has doubled down on his traditional views on abortion and women during his in-flight news conference coming home from Belgium.
Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious art
Read full article: Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious artAn unholy argument over a hymn has struck a discordant note in the preparations for the main event of Pope Francis' trip to Belgium.
Pope expels a bishop and 9 other people from a Peru movement over 'sadistic' abuses
Read full article: Pope expels a bishop and 9 other people from a Peru movement over 'sadistic' abusesPope Francis has taken the unusual decision to expel 10 people from a troubled Catholic movement in Peru after a Vatican investigation uncovered “sadistic” abuses of power, authority and spirituality.
Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to retain his flock in Europe
Read full article: Two tales from one city show the challenges Pope Francis faces to retain his flock in EuropePope Francis will be visiting Belgium on a trip starting Thursday, facing a flock ravaged by countless scandals of priest sexual abuse and dwindling in the face of modernity, where women and gays insist on an equal role and rights.
Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illness
Read full article: Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illnessThe Vatican has confirmed that plans remain in place for Pope Francis to go to Belgium and Luxembourg.
An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrine
Read full article: An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists have their helmets blessed at a Portuguese shrineAn estimated 180,000 motorcyclists gathered at Our Lady of Fatima shrine in central Portugal on Sunday for the ninth annual Pilgrimage of the Blessing of Helmets.
Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appeared
Read full article: Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appearedThe Vatican has given the green light for Catholics to continue flocking to a southern Bosnian village where children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary.
87 and hobbled, Pope Francis goes off-script in Asia and reminds world he can still draw a crowd
Read full article: 87 and hobbled, Pope Francis goes off-script in Asia and reminds world he can still draw a crowdPope Francis' longest and farthest trip has proven that despite his age, ailments and eight hours of jet lag, Pope Francis can still pull off an ambitious trip to Asia.
This new Mexican blessed is considered a protector of life from conception. Who was Moisés Lira?
Read full article: This new Mexican blessed is considered a protector of life from conception. Who was Moisés Lira?Mexico’s Catholic Church has a new addition to its ranks of “blessed,” with the beatification of the Rev. Moisés Lira.
A review of some of Pope Francis' most memorable quotes over his papacy
Read full article: A review of some of Pope Francis' most memorable quotes over his papacyFlying back to Rome from a lengthy trip to Asia, Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration.
Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life' and urges Catholics to vote for 'lesser evil'
Read full article: Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life' and urges Catholics to vote for 'lesser evil'Pope Francis has strongly criticized both U.S. presidential candidates over what he calls anti-life policies on abortion and migration.
Pope ends Asia trip with same message at the start: Interfaith tolerance to heal troubled world
Read full article: Pope ends Asia trip with same message at the start: Interfaith tolerance to heal troubled worldPope Francis is concluding his visit to Singapore by praising its tradition of interfaith harmony.
Pope marvels at Singapore's skyscrapers and asks that the lowest migrant workers not be forgotten
Read full article: Pope marvels at Singapore's skyscrapers and asks that the lowest migrant workers not be forgottenPope Francis has praised Singapore’s economic development as a testament to human ingenuity.
How does the huge crowd for the pope's Mass in East Timor compare to others?
Read full article: How does the huge crowd for the pope's Mass in East Timor compare to others?The estimated crowd of 600,000 people Pope Francis' Mass in East Timor is nearly half of the small Southeast Asian country's population.
Francis will be only the second pope to visit Singapore, one of the wealthiest nations
Read full article: Francis will be only the second pope to visit Singapore, one of the wealthiest nationsWhen Pope Francis arrives Wednesday in Asia’s financial powerhouse Singapore for the last leg of a four-nation tour, he is expected to bring his message of unity and hope to one of the world’s richest nations.
Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor draws 600,000 people, nearly half the population
Read full article: Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor draws 600,000 people, nearly half the populationThe Vatican says some 600,000 people have attended Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor, or nearly half the country’s population.
Pope cheers East Timor's recovery while acknowledging a bishop's abuse scandal
Read full article: Pope cheers East Timor's recovery while acknowledging a bishop's abuse scandalPope Francis has indirectly acknowledged the abuse scandal in East Timor involving its bishop and Nobel Peace Prize-winning independence hero.
Activists criticize high cost of Pope Francis' visit to East Timor, one of the poorest nations
Read full article: Activists criticize high cost of Pope Francis' visit to East Timor, one of the poorest nationsEast Timor pulled out all stops for Pope Francis’ historic visit to one of the world’s youngest and poorest countries to the tune of $12 million, drawing rebuke from activists and human rights organizations.
Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'
Read full article: Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'Pope Francis has called for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea to be particularly close to women who have been abused and marginalized.
Pope to meet Papua New Guinea Catholics who embrace both Christianity and Indigenous beliefs
Read full article: Pope to meet Papua New Guinea Catholics who embrace both Christianity and Indigenous beliefsPope Francis’s visit to Papua New Guinea will take him to a remote part of the South Pacific island nation where Christianity is a recent addition to traditional spiritual beliefs developed over millenia that remain deeply ingrained.
Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania trip
Read full article: Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania tripPope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Pope heads to Papua New Guinea after final Mass in Indonesia before an overflow crowd of 100,000
Read full article: Pope heads to Papua New Guinea after final Mass in Indonesia before an overflow crowd of 100,000Pope Francis is wrapping up his visit to Indonesia after celebrating Mass before an overflow crowd of 100,000.
Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet
Read full article: Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planetPope Francis has joined the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque in pledging to work together to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the planet.
The AP Interview: East Timor president sees pope stop as opportunity, not time to dwell on past sins
Read full article: The AP Interview: East Timor president sees pope stop as opportunity, not time to dwell on past sinsThe president of East Timor sees Pope Francis’ upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asia’s youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation.
In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of 'harmony in diversity,' fight extremism
Read full article: In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of 'harmony in diversity,' fight extremismPope Francis has urged Indonesia to live up to its promise of “harmony in diversity” and fight religious intolerance.
Pope embarks on longest, farthest and most challenging trip to Asia, with China in the background
Read full article: Pope embarks on longest, farthest and most challenging trip to Asia, with China in the backgroundPope Francis is making the longest, farthest and most challenging trip of his pontificate when he goes to Asia and Oceania this week.
Takeaways from AP's report on clergy abuse scandal in East Timor ahead of Pope Francis' visit
Read full article: Takeaways from AP's report on clergy abuse scandal in East Timor ahead of Pope Francis' visitWhen Pope Francis makes his trip to Asia's youngest country, East Timor, it will make him the second pope to visit after John Paul in 1989, and the first since the country gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.
Church sex abuse scandals in East Timor met by silence, but Pope Francis’ visit brings new attention
Read full article: Church sex abuse scandals in East Timor met by silence, but Pope Francis’ visit brings new attentionWhen the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning, East Timorese independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo had sexually abused young boys, it appeared that the global clergy sexual abuse scandal that has compromised the Catholic Church’s credibility around the world had finally arrived in Asia’s newest country.
Pope will visit the Istiqlal mosque in Indonesia on the first stop of an interfaith Asian trip
Read full article: Pope will visit the Istiqlal mosque in Indonesia on the first stop of an interfaith Asian tripWhen Pope Francis begins his Asia tour next week, one of his early stops will be at Indonesia’s iconic Istiqlal mosque.
Pope Francis' main adviser on clergy abuse, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, retires as archbishop of Boston
Read full article: Pope Francis' main adviser on clergy abuse, Cardinal Seán O'Malley, retires as archbishop of BostonPope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Seán O’Malley as archbishop of Boston and named the current bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard Henning, to replace him as leader of one of the most important Catholic archdioceses in the United States.
Voices across the globe express concern over increasing arrests in Venezuela after disputed election
Read full article: Voices across the globe express concern over increasing arrests in Venezuela after disputed electionVoices across the globe are expressing concern over the growing number of arrests in Venezuela following last weekend's disputed elections.
One church, two astronauts. How a Texas congregation is supporting its members on the space station
Read full article: One church, two astronauts. How a Texas congregation is supporting its members on the space stationA Texas church has not one — but two — members aboard the International Space Station.
Salvadorans honoring Saint Óscar Romero: During these difficult times, he is like a ray of hope
Read full article: Salvadorans honoring Saint Óscar Romero: During these difficult times, he is like a ray of hopeUp to 3,000 Salvadoran Catholics will participate in Saint Óscar Romero's pilgrimage, an annual event that kicks off in El Salvador each Aug. 1 to honor San Salvador’s archbishop, who was appointed saint by pope Francis in 2018.
Apache Christ icon controversy sparks debate over Indigenous Catholic faith practices
Read full article: Apache Christ icon controversy sparks debate over Indigenous Catholic faith practicesThe congregation at St. Joseph Apache Mission in the Mescalero Reservation in New Mexico, is struggling to deal with the hurt caused by their priest removing a cherished painting called the Apache Christ, which portrays Jesus as an Indigenous holy man.
Knights of Columbus covers shrine's mosaics by ex-Jesuit artist accused of abusing women
Read full article: Knights of Columbus covers shrine's mosaics by ex-Jesuit artist accused of abusing womenThe Knights of Columbus, the world’s largest Catholic fraternal group, has covered up defining features of the mosaics in its Washington D.
Pope Francis calls for Olympic truce for countries at war, prays for peace
Read full article: Pope Francis calls for Olympic truce for countries at war, prays for peacePope Francis has voiced his hope that the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide an opportunity for countries at war to respect an ancient Greek tradition and establish a truce for the duration of the Games.
For Catholic pilgrims, all roads lead to Indy for an old-style devotion in modern stadium setting
Read full article: For Catholic pilgrims, all roads lead to Indy for an old-style devotion in modern stadium settingCatholics from across the U.S. have converged for five days of traditional devotions at the Indianapolis Colts’ football stadium in what they’re calling the National Eucharistic Congress.
Vatican will prepare a document on the role of women in leadership in the Catholic Church
Read full article: Vatican will prepare a document on the role of women in leadership in the Catholic ChurchThe Vatican says its doctrine office will be preparing a document on women in leadership roles in the Catholic Church, as part of a new initiative to respond to longstanding demands by women to have a greater say in the church's life.
Chief prosecutor defends Vatican's legal system after recent criticism of pope's absolute power
Read full article: Chief prosecutor defends Vatican's legal system after recent criticism of pope's absolute powerThe Vatican’s chief prosecutor has strongly defended the integrity and fairness of the city state’s justice system.
Vatican excommunicates a former ambassador to the US and declares him guilty of schism
Read full article: Vatican excommunicates a former ambassador to the US and declares him guilty of schismThe Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the United States after finding him guilty of schism.
Pope's top adviser, women who say they were abused by ex-Jesuit artist ask for mosaics to be removed
Read full article: Pope's top adviser, women who say they were abused by ex-Jesuit artist ask for mosaics to be removedThe pope's top adviser on fighting sex abuse is urging Vatican offices to stop displaying artwork by an ex-Jesuit artist.
A Vatican Radio territory in north Rome once blamed for electro-smog will become a solar farm
Read full article: A Vatican Radio territory in north Rome once blamed for electro-smog will become a solar farmPope Francis has decreed that an area of northern Rome long used by Vatican Radio will now house a field of solar panels to fuel Vatican City.
Pope Francis meets more than 100 comedians at the Vatican: 'You also make God smile'
Read full article: Pope Francis meets more than 100 comedians at the Vatican: 'You also make God smile'Before flying to Italy’s southern Puglia region to meet world leaders at the Group of Seven summit, Pope Francis hosted a very different audience at the Vatican celebrating the importance of humor.
Pope Francis becomes first pontiff to address a G7 summit, raising alarm about AI. The G7 responds
Read full article: Pope Francis becomes first pontiff to address a G7 summit, raising alarm about AI. The G7 respondsPope Francis has challenged leaders of the world’s wealthy democracies to keep human dignity foremost in developing and using artificial intelligence.
Vatican cardinal urges Europeans to remember own migratory roots ahead of European elections
Read full article: Vatican cardinal urges Europeans to remember own migratory roots ahead of European electionsA top Vatican cardinal has urged European voters to remember their own migratory roots in showing sympathy to people forced to flee their homes.
Pope apologizes after being quoted using vulgar term about gay men in talk about ban on gay priests
Read full article: Pope apologizes after being quoted using vulgar term about gay men in talk about ban on gay priestsPope Francis has apologized after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s ban on gay priests.
Some of the Catholic Church's best-known approved, and not approved, reports of apparitions of Mary
Read full article: Some of the Catholic Church's best-known approved, and not approved, reports of apparitions of MaryThe Vatican has revised how it evaluates purported supernatural events, such as reported visions of the Virgin Mary, to guard against hoaxes and account for news going viral.
Vatican moves to adapt to hoaxes, Internet and overhauls its process for evaluating visions of Mary
Read full article: Vatican moves to adapt to hoaxes, Internet and overhauls its process for evaluating visions of MaryThe Vatican has radically reformed its process for evaluating alleged visions of the Virgin Mary, weeping statues and other seemingly supernatural phenomena.
Vatican Museums staff challenge the pope with a legal bid for better terms and treatment
Read full article: Vatican Museums staff challenge the pope with a legal bid for better terms and treatmentForty-nine employees of the Vatican Museums have filed a class-action complaint with the Vatican administration demanding better seniority, leave and overtime benefits.
Holy Year or holy mess, Vatican and Rome begin dash to 2025 Jubilee with papal bull, construction
Read full article: Holy Year or holy mess, Vatican and Rome begin dash to 2025 Jubilee with papal bull, constructionThe Vatican has crossed a key milestone in the runup to its 2025 Jubilee with the promulgation of the official decree establishing the Holy Year.
Pope visits Venice to speak to the artists and inmates behind the Biennale's must-see prison show
Read full article: Pope visits Venice to speak to the artists and inmates behind the Biennale's must-see prison showPope Francis has met with women prisoners in Venice who are the protagonists of the Vatican pavilion at the Venice Biennale art fair.
Cisco Systems joins Microsoft, IBM in Vatican pledge to ensure ethical use and development of AI
Read full article: Cisco Systems joins Microsoft, IBM in Vatican pledge to ensure ethical use and development of AITech giant Cisco Systems has joined Microsoft and IBM in signing onto a Vatican-sponsored pledge to ensure artificial intelligence is developed and used ethically.
Unfazed by danger and power, Guatemalan cardinal keeps up fight for migrants and the poor
Read full article: Unfazed by danger and power, Guatemalan cardinal keeps up fight for migrants and the poorElevated by Pope Francis to the top hierarchy of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini has kept up his unflinching focus on the poor, the Indigenous and the migrant in Central America.
Vatican complains after French court rules in favor of nun dismissed from religious order
Read full article: Vatican complains after French court rules in favor of nun dismissed from religious orderThe Holy See has formally protested to France after a court there ruled that a former high-ranking Vatican official was liable for what the court determined to be the wrongful dismissal of a nun from a religious order.
Pope will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore in longest trip of papacy
Read full article: Pope will travel to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore in longest trip of papacyThe Vatican says Pope Francis will visit Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Singapore in September.
Transgender inclusion? World's major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people
Read full article: Transgender inclusion? World's major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans peopleThe Vatican has issued a new document rejecting the concept of changing one’s biological sex.
Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives
Read full article: Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their livesTransgender Catholics are voicing disappointment with a new Vatican document rejecting the fundamental concept of changing one’s biological sex.
Vatican blasts gender-affirming surgery, surrogacy and gender theory as violations of human dignity
Read full article: Vatican blasts gender-affirming surgery, surrogacy and gender theory as violations of human dignityThe Vatican has declared that gender-affirming surgeries and surrogacy are grave violations of human dignity.
Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI's aide
Read full article: Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI's aidePope Francis has exposed the political “maneuvers” used to sway votes during the two most recent elections of popes in a book-length interview.
Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
Read full article: Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and UkrainePope Francis has rallied from respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations and make a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
Pope presides over Easter Vigil, delivers 10-minute homily after skipping Good Friday at last minute
Read full article: Pope presides over Easter Vigil, delivers 10-minute homily after skipping Good Friday at last minutePope Francis has delivered a 10-minute homily during the Vatican’s somber Easter Vigil service, a day after he made the last-minute decision to skip his participation in the Good Friday procession as a health precaution.
LGBTQ-inclusive church in Cuba welcomes all in a country that once sent gay people to labor camps
Read full article: LGBTQ-inclusive church in Cuba welcomes all in a country that once sent gay people to labor campsAfter the 1959 revolution, Cuba repressed gay people and many were sent to labor camps.
Pope skips Good Friday event to preserve health ahead of Easter, Vatican says
Read full article: Pope skips Good Friday event to preserve health ahead of Easter, Vatican saysThe Vatican says Pope Francis has skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.
Pope appears in better health, praises Israeli and Arab fathers who both lost daughters in conflict
Read full article: Pope appears in better health, praises Israeli and Arab fathers who both lost daughters in conflictPope Francis appears in better health, walking into the Vatican audience hall on his own with a cane for his weekly audience and delivering his prepared text with a clear voice.
Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his health
Read full article: Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his healthPope Francis has decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
Belgian bishop defrocked 14 years after admitting to abusing nephew
Read full article: Belgian bishop defrocked 14 years after admitting to abusing nephewPope Francis has defrocked a notorious Belgian bishop who admitted 14 years ago that he sexually abused his nephew but faced no Vatican punishment.
Pope acknowledges criticism and health issues but says in his new memoir he has no plans to retire
Read full article: Pope acknowledges criticism and health issues but says in his new memoir he has no plans to retirePope Francis says he has no plans to resign and isn’t suffering from any health problems that would require doing so.
The Vatican unveils its project for the Venice Biennale of Art: inside a women's prison
Read full article: The Vatican unveils its project for the Venice Biennale of Art: inside a women's prisonThe Vatican has unveiled a groundbreaking project for the upcoming Venice Biennale of Art: It is mounting a multimedia installation inside Venice’s Giudecca women’s prison.
Pope Francis' 'white flag' comment is met by criticism from Ukraine and its allies
Read full article: Pope Francis' 'white flag' comment is met by criticism from Ukraine and its alliesUkrainian and allied officials have criticized Pope Francis for saying that Kyiv should have the “courage” to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
Pope Francis: Ukraine should have the courage of the 'white flag,' negotiate end of war with Russia
Read full article: Pope Francis: Ukraine should have the courage of the 'white flag,' negotiate end of war with RussiaPope Francis has said in an interview that Ukraine, facing possible defeat, should have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia and not be ashamed to sit at the same table to carry out peace talks.
Pope asks an aide to read a speech aloud for him, raising further concerns over his health
Read full article: Pope asks an aide to read a speech aloud for him, raising further concerns over his healthPope Francis, who has been suffering from the flu, asked an aide to read out his prepared speech at a conference in the Vatican Friday, saying he was not yet well and becomes fatigued.
The pope delivers Sunday prayers from the Vatican window a day after suffering a mild flu
Read full article: The pope delivers Sunday prayers from the Vatican window a day after suffering a mild fluPope Francis was well enough to celebrate his weekly Angelus prayer from the Vatican window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, a day after cancelling his engagements because of a mild flu.
Woman who says she was abused spiritually and sexually by a once-famous Jesuit demands transparency
Read full article: Woman who says she was abused spiritually and sexually by a once-famous Jesuit demands transparencyOne of the first women who accused a once-exalted Jesuit artist of spiritual, psychological and sexual abuse has gone public.
The Vatican's problematic process to address clergy sex abuse cases, explained
Read full article: The Vatican's problematic process to address clergy sex abuse cases, explainedFive years ago this week, Pope Francis convened an unprecedented summit of bishops from around the world to impress on them that clergy abuse was a global problem and that they needed to do something about it.
After rough start, pope and Argentina's Milei meet amid speculation Francis might finally go home
Read full article: After rough start, pope and Argentina's Milei meet amid speculation Francis might finally go homeDespite their rocky start, Argentine President Javier Milei and Pope Francis appear to have hit it off.
Mama Antula, the Jesuit who didn't want to marry or be a nun, will be Argentina's first female saint
Read full article: Mama Antula, the Jesuit who didn't want to marry or be a nun, will be Argentina's first female saintA Catholic laywoman who lived in 18th-century Argentina and joined the Jesuits in their evangelical mission throughout the South American country will become the first female saint from the home country of Pope Francis on Sunday.
Pope blasts 'radical individualism' as he meets with Argentines ahead of big canonization
Read full article: Pope blasts 'radical individualism' as he meets with Argentines ahead of big canonizationPope Francis has met with Argentine pilgrims who are in town for this weekend’s canonization of the first female saint from his home country.