Topic: The Roman Catholic Church

Team of rivals: Italy, finally, forms new government (+video)

Center-left leader Enrico Letta will be Italy's new prime minister, after his party formed a coalition government with former Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservatives.

Pope Francis plans to visit Assisi, home of St. Francis

Pope Francis took his name in recognition of Saint Francis, best known for his work with the poor and his love of animals.

Pope Francis on abortion, gay marriage, priestly sex abuse, and more

Pope Francis tackled many hot-button issues before being elected pope: The practice of shuffling pedophile priests was 'stupid,' feminism is 'machismo in skirts,' priestly celibacy 'could change,' and more.

Boy Scouts gay ban: Leaders propose lifting gay ban for youth

Boy Scouts of America's executive committee, after surveying it's million-member community, drafted a resolution proposing to remove the ban on gay youth while keeping it for all adult leaders.

Global News Blog New Zealand becomes first country in Asia-Pacific to legalize same-sex marriage

The change in New Zealand's law could pressure neighbors such as Australia to consider revising their laws.

Pope: Crackdown on nuns in US reaffirmed

The Vatican last year imposed an overhaul of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious after determining the sisters took positions that undermined Catholic teaching on the priesthood and homosexuality while promoting 'radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith.' 

Pope Francis launched sainthood process for Argentine priests

Pope Francis, then known as Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio, urged the beatification of martyred Argentine priests. A colleague says they "weren't killed because of their ideology or politics but because they preached the gospel of life in a time when life was being threatened."

Does a Star Wars palace in Italy need the army to protect it?

The Royal Palace of Caserta, which rivals Versailles in size and has appeared in several movies, is in such disrepair and so poorly guarded that the local mayor says the military needs to step in.

Philadelphia priests scandal: 3 priests removed after sex abuse allegations

Philadelphia priests scandal: Three more Catholic priests were permanently removed from the ministry following a 2011 grand jury report that led to the conviction of a high-ranking Philadelphia archdiocese official on child endangerment charges.

Victims' groups cool to Pope Francis's first comments on abuse scandal

On Friday, the new pope addressed the child abuse scandal for the first time since his election, calling for a continuation of his predecessor's unpopular approach.

Pope Francis: Women are 'fundamental' to church

Pope Francis emphasized the importance of women in Catholic homes and churches in a speech Wednesday, but did not suggest they should be ordained.

Parents moved to tears after Pope's careful embrace

A U.S. couple says they were speechless when Pope Francis hugged and kissed their 8-year-old son with cerebral palsy, in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday.

Long Shot

In 'Long Shot,' 12-time all-star Mike Piazza recounts his unlikely path from suburban Philadelphia to the big leagues and even how it led to a trip to the Vatican.

In Easter message Pope Francis calls for peace

Pope Francis emphasized his concern for the poor and suffering, and delivered a plea for peace in the Middle East and on the Korean peninsula during his first Easter Sunday Mass.

Cardinal: pedophilia not a crime says cardinal, followed by swift apology

Cardinal says pedophilia not a crime but an illness. South Africa Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier apologized for the 'botched' interview. The cardinal now says pedophilia is "a heinous crime."

Pope Francis connects with crowd after first window appearance (+video)

The new leader for the world's Catholics gave a short speech in Italian from his window, a traditional Sunday duty of popes.

In interviews, new Pope Francis confirms commitment to poor

Pope Francis stumbles (video), Vatican criticizes 'left-wing' media campaign

Pope Francis stumbles stepping down from a chair, but recovers. The Vatican was less worried about that stumble, and more concerned about media coverage of the role of Pope Francis during Argentina's 'Dirty War.'

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.

Backchannels The UN document on women that has terrified Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

The Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt has teamed up with Iran, Russia, and the Vatican to oppose a UN draft proposal on reducing violence against women on moral grounds.

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.

Pope Francis signals core mission – returning Catholics to the church (+video)

In his first blessing from the Vatican balcony, Pope Francis spoke of the 'evangelization' of Rome, a clear sign he would carry on the 'New Evangelization' legacy of John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

Not Less than Everything

A group of Catholic writers profile "religious realists" through history.