Catholic reform debate launched by Pope Francis leans away from ordained roles for women

ROME (AP) — Debate was leaning away from allowing women to take on ordained roles in the Catholic Church as the second phase of Pope Francis’ reform project opened Wednesday with an agenda topped by calls for women to take up more positions of responsibility Francis presided...

Vatican bank fires newlywed couple for violating a new workplace marriage ban

ROME (AP) — The Vatican bank confirmed Wednesday it has fired two employees on the grounds that their recent wedding violates a new ban on workplace marriages. The Institute for Religious Works said it took the “difficult decision” to fire the couple, who have three children,...

Tone deaf and color blind? Catholic Church struggles to keep accused abusers out of religious art

BRUSSELS (AP) — Little brings more heavenly bliss to the faithful or otherworldly wonder to casual visitors than ethereal hymns cascading amid the columns of Catholic cathedrals. That is, unless the composer is a known molester or someone accused of sexual abuse. A few days before...

Pope expels a bishop and 9 other people from a Peru movement over 'sadistic' abuses

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis took the unusual decision Wednesday to expel 10 people – a bishop, priests and laypeople -- from a troubled Catholic movement in Peru after a Vatican investigation uncovered “sadistic” abuses of power, authority and spirituality. The move...

Pope Francis expels 10 people from a troubled Catholic movement in Peru after a Vatican investigation uncovered abuses

Vatican confirms plans for Belgium, Luxembourg trip after pope cancels audiences due to illness

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican confirmed that plans remain in place for Pope Francis to go to Belgium and Luxembourg later this week, despite having canceled all his audiences Monday because of a “slight flu-like state.” Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said the cancellation...

Vatican confirms plans still in place for Pope Francis to visit Belgium and Luxembourg despite canceling events Monday

Vatican says Pope Francis cancels his audiences because of a “slight flu-like state” days before a new trip

Pope denounces slaying of Honduran environmental defender

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the slaying of an environmental activist in Honduras, adding to a growing number of international voices that have raised concern over the killing. The environmental leader, Juan López, was gunned down earlier this month in the...

Vatican gives green light to devotion at a site in Bosnia where the Madonna reportedly appeared

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican on Thursday gave the green light for Catholics to continue flocking to a southern Bosnian village where children reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary, offering its approval for devotion at one of the most contested sites of Roman Catholic practice in recent...