Vatican

In a historic shift, Pope Francis allows women to vote at bishops' meetings

1:18pm April 26, 2023

by The Associated Press

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.

People protest as Pope Francis meets young people and elders at Nakasuk Elementary School Square in Iqaluit, Canada, last July. The Vatican on Thursday formally repudiated the "Doctrine of Discovery." The theory is backed by 15th century papal decrees that legitimized the colonial-era seizure of Native lands and form the basis of some property laws today.

The Vatican repudiates 'Doctrine of Discovery,' which was used to justify colonialism

1:38pm March 30, 2023

by Bill Chappell

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.

Pope Francis waves from the window of the apostolic palace during the weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday in the Vatican.

After 10 years as pope, Francis continues to reshape the Catholic Church

4:27pm March 13, 2023

by Sylvia Poggioli

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.

Queue Listen Now

Clergy sex abuse survivor and victim's advocate Juan Carlos Cruz first met Pope Francis in 2018 when a group of survivors of abuse was invited to the Vatican.

Religion

Pope Francis' LGBTQ comments are not surprising but sincere, gay Vatican adviser says

3:52pm January 26, 2023

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Juan Carlos Cruz, a gay Chilean man who is a survivor of clergy sex abuse, about remarks by Pope Francis that criminalizing homosexuality is "unjust."

Queue Listen Now

Pope Francis looks at the Christmas tree inside the Paul VI hall as he arrives to meet with faithful during an audience granted to the donors of the Christmas tree and Nativity scene at the Vatican, on Dec. 3, 2022. Pope Francis has revealed in an interview that shortly after being elected pontiff in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impede him from carrying out duties.

The Pope has revealed he has a resignation note to use if his health impedes his work

5:44am December 18, 2022

by The Associated Press

Pope Francis has revealed in an interview published Sunday that shortly after being elected pontiff in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impede him from doing his duties.

Pope Francis arrives at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International airport on Sunday to board his flight to Edmonton, Canada, where he will start a six-day pastoral visit to the country.

The pope arrives in Canada as Indigenous groups seek a full apology

8:37pm July 24, 2022

by The Associated Press

Pope Francis began a visit to Canada on Sunday to apologize to Indigenous peoples for abuses at residential schools, part of the the Catholic Church's efforts to reconcile with Native communities.

Pope Francis delivers the Angelus noon prayer in St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican on Sunday.

On COVID vaccinations, Pope says health care is a 'moral obligation'

7:26am January 10, 2022

by The Associated Press

Francis says individuals have a responsibility to care for themselves "and this translates into respect for the health of those around us."

Pope Francis shakes hands with Joe Biden, then vice president, at the Vatican, in 2016.

In Pope Francis, Biden Has A Potential Ally — Who Shares The Same Catholic Detractors

4:35pm March 01, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

The pope and the president share liberal stances on climate change and economic disparity. A theology scholar argues U.S. Catholic Church leadership is increasingly allied with the political right.

Queue Listen Now

The Vatican said Monday that it is "morally acceptable" to use COVID-19 vaccines, even if they used "cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process." Pope Francis, who approved the statement, is seen here in January.

Vatican OKs Receiving COVID-19 Vaccines, Even If Research Involved Fetal Tissue

7:34pm December 21, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

The Vatican said it's permitted to get COVID-19 vaccines due to the "grave danger" of the pandemic, even if scientists used "cell lines from aborted fetuses in their research and production process."

Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., becomes a cardinal during a ceremony Saturday known as a consistory in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Pope Francis cautioned new cardinals never to lose their connection to the people.

With Ceremony At The Vatican, Wilton Gregory Becomes 1st Black American Cardinal

6:59pm November 28, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., is among 13 church leaders elevated to cardinal at a ceremony at the Vatican on Saturday.