Pope Francis

Conservative Lawmaker Boycotting Pope's Address Over Climate-Change Views

6:56pm September 18, 2015

by Susan Davis

Because of Pope Francis' more progressive views on climate change, Rep. Paul Gosar, a Catholic Republican from Arizona, is boycotting the pope's address to Congress. He's facing pushback for it.

In U.S. Visit, Pope Francis Will Deliver 4 Speeches In English, 14 In Spanish

5:15pm September 15, 2015

by Laura Wagner

In his five-day, three-city tour, Francis will give the majority of speeches in his native Spanish.

U.S. 'Disrupted' Threat Ahead Of Pope's Visit, Congressman Says

5:01pm September 13, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, says he was apprised of the threat during a classified meeting.

Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio (left), president of the Vatican Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, arrives to read Pope Francis' statement on marriage annulment reforms at the Vatican on Tuesday.

Pope Francis Smooths Process To Annul Marriages

12:39pm September 08, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The Catholic Church still doesn't recognize divorce, but the changes promise to make it easier to annul marriages deemed invalid by a church court by using a "more agile" process.

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Religion

Pope Francis Urges Church To Embrace Those Who Divorce And Remarry

12:23pm September 08, 2015

by Bill Chappell

The headline on the Vatican's official news site makes the point clearly: "Pope: divorced and remarried people not excommunicated."

Pope Francis leaves St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in August. In a letter published Tuesday, he said, in part,

During Holy Year, Pope Will Let Priests Forgive Women Who Had Abortions

11:19am September 01, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

According to church teaching, abortion is a sin so grave that anyone who gets one or performs one is automatically excommunicated. Forgiveness was usually only given by senior church officials.

Archbishop Josef Wesolowski, the Vatican's ambassador to the Dominican Republic, offers Mass in Santo Domingo on Aug. 3, 2009. The former archbishop and papal ambassador died Friday at the Vatican awaiting trial on child sex abuse charges.

Defrocked Archbishop Dies Awaiting Trial On Sex Abuse Charges

7:58pm August 28, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Former Polish Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski was accused of paying for sex with children and possessing child pornography while he served as the Holy See's ambassador to Dominican Republic.

Pope Francis speaks to crowds gathered Sunday in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

The Pope Is About To Weigh In On Climate Change. Not Everyone Is Happy

1:31pm July 10, 2015

by Scott Neuman

A number of conservative politicians have cast a dim eye on Pope Francis' statements on climate change. A teaching document coming out Thursday aims to make the environment a moral imperative.

Bolivian President Evo Morales presents Pope Francis with a crucifix carved into a wooden hammer and sickle in La Paz, Bolivia, on Wednesday.

Bemused Or Irritated? Pope Reacts To Gift Of 'Communist Crucifix'

11:46am July 10, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Francis received an unusual gift from Bolivian President Evo Morales — a crucifix in the shape of a hammer and sickle.

Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he rides aboard the Popemobile in the streets of Quito, Ecuador, on Sunday.

Pope Kicks Off Three-Nation Tour In Ecuador

11:14am July 06, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, was greeted by hundreds of thousands in Quito. He is scheduled to visit Bolivia and Paraguay next.