Topic: Rome (Italy)

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How European Catholics see Pope Francis

The more devout and orthodox the believer, the more likely they are to welcome the pope, but even liberal Catholics are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Can Pope Francis' focus on poor attract 'indifferent Catholics' back to church?

While questions surround how Pope Francis dealt with Argentina's Dirty War, it is his involvement in the slums of Buenos Aires that is expected to guide his leadership of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
Will Jesuit identity help Pope Francis repair 'fractured church'?

The Catholic Church is getting not only its first Latin American pope, but its first Jesuit leader. He hails from an order known for outreach and fresh thinking.
Pope pays hotel bill: Pope Francis sheds luxuries of previous popes

Pope Francis paid his hotel bill and thanked the staff this morning, just one of many signs that he wants a simpler lifestyle than his predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.
Argentine pope: A reflection of Catholicism 'south of the equator'

Residents of Buenos Aires met the papal announcement with surprise, checking smartphones in the street and asking each other if the news was true.
Pope Francis: representative of God - and Latin America?

Pope Francis is the first Latin American pope, a prospect that fills many in the region with hopes for better representation of their concerns at the Vatican.
Election of Pope Francis fuels hopes for Catholic reform (+video)

The election of Francis is being interpreted as a victory for reform-minded cardinals, and may herald sweeping changes for the scandal-beset Catholic Church.
Grand Central and our station in life

The centennial of New York's famed temple of transport provides an occasion to consider the distinction between 'terminal' and 'station.'
Pope Francis emerges to cheers of 'Viva il Papa'

The selection of Jorge Bergoglio, a Jesuit from Argentina, to be the next head of the Catholic Church electrified Rome.
After three votes in Rome, no pope chosen yet

Black smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel for the third time Wednesday. Cardinals voted twice Wednesday morning and two more votes are expected in the afternoon.
L.A. archdiocese settles sex abuse cases for $10 million

The archdiocese of Los Angeles, its former leader Cardinal Mahony, and an defrocked priest have agreed to pay $10 million to settle four child sex abuse cases.
First round of Vatican voting: Black smoke says no pope yet

The cardinals took their first vote today for a new pope, but black smoke billowing above the Vatican's Sistine Chapel signaled the cardinals have not yet reached a majority.
An American pope? What could help, or hinder, two cardinals' chances.

The US cardinals' experience dealing with the sex abuse crisis is seen alternately as a strength and a weakness. But other factors make any American a dark horse candidate to be the next pope.
Who's on the short list to be the new pope?

As the cardinals seal themselves away in St. Peter's Basilica to begin their deliberations over the next leader of the Catholic Church, a handful of frontrunners have emerged.
Global News Blog Papal conclave through the Twitter looking glass (+video)

As the Papal conclave gets underway in Rome, the Twittersphere is lighting up with final farewells from some of the 115 cardinals, as well as comedians.
Queen Elizabeth cancels engagement, but bounces back

Queen Elizabeth canceled an engagement at Westminster Abbey today, then attended a London reception to celebrate Commonwealth Day.
What are the chances of an American pope? This time, not zero (+video)

Until recently, American candidates faced unease about US hegemony. With the end of the cold war and decline in American power, a couple of US cardinals are getting serious attention.
Vatican media blackout: Why no interviews with cardinals? (+video)

Vatican media blackout: Speculation mounted that the underlying aim of the media blackout was to silence the American cardinals gathered at Vatican City.
For next pope, cardinals want youngish, polyglot MBA-type (+video)

Issues of governance at the Vatican are weighing on the men who will pick the next leader of the Catholic Church.
Power of the Catholic Church slipping in Philippines

About 80 percent of Filipinos are Catholic, and they traditionally looked to the church for political and moral guidance. Recent reforms, however, are overriding church positions.
Sistine Chapel closed, Vatican still waiting for 5 cardinals for conclave

Sistine Chapel closed: The Vatican insisted nothing was amiss and that the five cardinals would be present in the coming days.
Verbal Energy Abdicating, resigning, or just stepping down?

Changes in Rome, the Netherlands, and Cuba illustrate our vocabulary of transition.
Pope Benedict XVI worked 18-hour days doing what, exactly?

Pope Benedict XVI's replacement will follow in the grueling footsteps of the emeritus pontiff and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. How do popes fill their long days?
Chapter & Verse Choosing the Pope: Looking back at the process through the ages

History professor Frederic J. Baumgartner discusses how the leader of the world's largest Christian faith has been chosen in the past and what that means for the current selection.
Moscow says US aid for Syria helps 'extremists'

The Kremlin has urged the US to move cautiously. Moscow claims it is doing all it can to promote a settlement in Syria that avoids an Afghanistan-style militant blowback.