Pope Francis
Pope Francis says ‘everyone will calm down’ about same-sex blessings
By Claire Giangravé — January 30, 2024
(RNS) — The declaration allowing the blessing of same-sex couples 'wishes to include, not divide,' the pope said.
Pope says Holocaust Remembrance Day reminds world that war can never be justified
By Associated Press — January 26, 2024
ROME (AP) — At the end of his weekly general audience, Francis referred to Saturday’s commemoration, which has become fraught this year given Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a rise in antisemitism in Europe and around the world.
Pope Francis’ synod made few waves, but organizers say it’s already changing the church
By Claire Giangravé — January 25, 2024
(RNS) — The controversy over blessing gay couples is just another example of synodality at work, according to Sr. Nathalie Becquart.
Catholic clergy in Uganda accuse the West of a new colonialism through LGBTQ activism
By Tonny Onyulo — January 25, 2024
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) — Most Ugandan Catholics oppose Pope Francis' recent move to allow priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples.
To bless or not to bless?
By Phyllis Zagano — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Rome's move to allow LGBTQ couples to be blessed has been misunderstood by many, and misrepresented by others.
Pope’s comments on surrogacy land ‘like a ton of bricks’ after allowing same-sex blessings
By Claire Giangravé — January 22, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis said surrogacy is deplorable, but some claim he is missing the context.
Top religious leaders in Haiti denounce kidnapping of nuns and demand government action
By Associated Press — January 22, 2024
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The Archdiocese, along with the Haitian Conference of the Religious, said in the letter that Haitians are tired of the “reign of terror” imposed by armed groups and called on government officials to protect people and their property.
Jonah is a prophet for today
By Thomas Reese — January 22, 2024
(RNS) — God sending Jonah to Nineveh would be like telling a modern-day rabbi to preach in Iran or Gaza.
The Vatican’s top expert on AI ethics is a friar from a medieval Franciscan order
By Frances D'emilio — January 18, 2024
ROME (AP) — Benanti is the Vatican's go-to person on the technology and he has the ear of Pope Francis as well as some of Silicon Valley's top engineers and executives.
Pope Francis called surrogacy ‘deplorable’ – but the reasons why women and parents choose surrogacy are complex and defy simple labels
By Danielle Tumminio Hansen — January 17, 2024
(The Conversation) — Surrogacy can exploit women, but others may choose to be involved for altruistic reasons. A scholar points out that surrogacy’s ethical value is dependent upon the people and systems who use it.
Vatican’s doctrine czar faces opposition for past and present decisions
By Claire Giangravé — January 16, 2024
(RNS) — Taking point position on Pope Francis' insistence on opening the church to those who transgress traditional sexual morality, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández has been bushwhacked by critics who point to his own writings on sexuality.
Capitalizing on his teachings on sex, Pope Francis’ critics shame themselves
By Thomas Reese — January 16, 2024
(RNS) — Jesus didn’t spend his time obsessing over people’s sex lives.
Vatican launches massive restoration effort of baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica
By Claire Giangravé — January 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Restorers plan to complete the work in time for the start of the Jubilee of 2025.
Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will
By Nicole Winfield — January 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The controversy has deepened a growing chasm between Francis’ progressive, reform-minded papacy and the conservative church in much of the world
High-ranking Vatican official says priests should be allowed to marry
By Claire Giangravé — January 9, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna said he has already made his case for married priests at the Vatican.
