Pope Francis

At Palm Sunday Mass, Pope Remembers Germanwings Crash Victims

11:32am March 30, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Francis noted that schoolchildren were aboard the aircraft thought to have been deliberately crashed by its co-pilot. The pontiff also paid tribute to "martyrs" killed for their faith.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien stands at a window in a room in his home in Edinburgh, Scotland, in February 2013 when he first tendered his resignation over sexual misconduct allegations.

Pope Accepts Resignation Of Cardinal Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

1:22pm March 21, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Keith O'Brien, who stepped down as Archbishop of St. Andrews in Scotland two years ago, will be stripped of his privileges but not his title, the Vatican says.

Pope Francis' Financial Reforms Rattle Vatican's Old Guard

5:20pm March 14, 2015

by Sylvia Poggioli

As the second anniversary of his papacy nears, Pope Francis has made significant progress in bringing transparency to the Vatican's finances and Cardinal George Pell is carrying out sweeping reforms.

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Pope Francis speaks at St. Peter's Basilica on Friday. On the second anniversary of his election, Francis said his pontificate will be short, perhaps less than five years.

Pope Francis Says His Tenure At The Vatican Will Be Short

5:19pm March 13, 2015

by Bill Chappell

Pope Francis also said he misses the relative anonymity he had as a bishop — and that he'd like to sneak out for a pizza, unrecognized.

Pope Francis leads the consistory at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. In addition to 15 new electors, Pope Francis named five new cardinals who are over the age of 80 and, therefore, ineligible to vote in a conclave.

With New Cardinals, Pope Aims To Widen Horizons Of Church Leadership

10:54am February 14, 2015

by Sylvia Poggioli

In a formal ceremony, 20 prelates became princes of the Catholic Church. The new cardinals mark a shift in the church under Pope Francis toward poor nations — and away from Europe.

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Pope Francis kisses a baby as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on Wednesday.

Couples Who Choose Not To Have Children Are 'Selfish,' Pope Says

2:05pm February 12, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Francis spoke of a "greedy generation" that is opting not to procreate. His remarks come less than two weeks after he said Catholics do not need to breed "like rabbits."

People look at a portrait of Oscar Romero at the cathedral of San Salvador, where as archbishop he resisted a brutal regime. He was murdered and the Vatican has declared him a martyr.

Oscar Romero, The Murdered Archbishop Who Inspires The Pope

11:19am February 07, 2015

by Scott Simon

Pope Francis and the Vatican have recognized Romero, who served as archbishop of San Salvador, as a martyr. NPR's Scott Simon reflects on his life, and the possibility he might become a saint.

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Catholics march in San Salvador on March 22, 2014, during the commemoration of the 33th anniversary of Romero's murder.

Decades After His Murder, An Archbishop Is Put On Path To Sainthood

8:28am February 06, 2015

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis has declared slain Archbishop Oscar Romero a martyr. Previous popes declined to do so, possibly because of Romero's role in liberation theology.

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Pope Francis is cheered by the faithful as he arrives for the weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.

Pope Francis To Address Congress During U.S. Trip, Boehner Says

12:41pm February 05, 2015

by Juana Summers

House Speaker John Boehner says Francis will address lawmakers on Sept. 24 during his first papal visit to the United States.

A Saint With A Mixed History: Junipero Serra's Canonization Raises Eyebrows

6:08pm January 28, 2015

by Jasmine Garsd

Pope Francis announced he will elevate the influential missionary to sainthood when he visits Washington, D.C. But Native American groups say Father Serra was far from saintly.