In Part I of this exclusive interview with Gerard O’Connell, the Vatican’s foreign minister says speculation about the pope’s resignation is “at this time, not appropriate, and it’s certainly not in the cards.”

The 88-year-old pope continues his slow recovery from double pneumonia, with results of more medical tests expected later Thursday.

President Donald Trump said that he would hold South Africa accountable for rights violations against white Afrikaners, a group of people he described as “innocent disfavored minority farmers.

In a conversation with host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., on “Preach,” James Hanvey, S.J., reflects on the universal appeal of Ash Wednesday: “Everyone is drawn to the ashes—for whatever reason.”

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing, according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center.

Signed by the pope and dated Feb. 11, three days before Pope Francis was hospitalized, the decree was released by the Vatican Feb. 26.

Areas for possible dialogue between the church and the Trump administration included anti-human-trafficking efforts, the status of Dreamers and the right of a nation to control its borders.

Pope Francis remains in “critical but stationary” condition, according to the medical report released by the Vatican this evening. The report does not mention any improvement since yesterday’s medical update.

The severe breathing crisis that Francis experienced on Feb. 22 has been overcome. The pope is not sedated. He is seated in an armchair and eating normally.

A Reflection for Tuesday of the Seventh Week of Ordinary Time, by Jackson Goodman