Pope Francis and Indonesia’s top imam make a joint call for religious harmony
The pope’s meeting with the Muslim leader in Jakarta comes during the first leg of an intense 11-day, four-nation tour in Asia and Oceania.
Vatican
The Vatican says surrogacy and gender theory are 'grave threats' to human dignity
A document called "Infinite Dignity" details what the Vatican sees as grave violations of dignity. Poverty, war and the abuse of migrants lead the list.
Nicaragua frees a jailed Catholic bishop and 18 priests, hands them to the Vatican
Bishop Rolando Álvarez and the other clergy were jailed more than a year ago, in most cases, as part of a crackdown on the opposition and Catholic Church by President Daniel Ortega.
A cardinal is convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in Vatican trial
Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first cardinal ever prosecuted by the Vatican criminal court, was convicted in a complicated financial trial that aired the Vatican's dirty laundry.
The Vatican broadens public access to an ancient Roman necropolis
In the past, tours of the ancient burial site were generally only granted to approved academics, students and other specialists.
Vatican gathering tackles topics from women in ministry to LGBTQ+ Catholics
Roman Catholic leaders from around the world are gathering at the Vatican for a synod, or meeting, to address issues facing the church, including whether to allow women to become deacons.
Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions may be possible
In a letter to conservative cardinals, the pope suggested that such blessings for same-sex unions could be studied if they didn't confuse the blessing with sacramental marriage.
In a historic shift, Pope Francis allows women to vote at bishops' meetings
Catholic women's groups that have long criticized the Vatican for treating women as second-class citizens immediately praised the move as historic in the 2,000-year life of the church.
The Vatican repudiates 'Doctrine of Discovery,' which was used to justify colonialism
The doctrine, with origins in the 15th century, was invoked as a legal and religious standing by Europeans who "discovered" new lands and violently seized it from people who had been living there.
After 10 years as pope, Francis continues to reshape the Catholic Church
The leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics has steered his church leftward after more than two decades of conservative leadership. Opposition within the Vatican is fierce.