The Vatican has been trying for years to debunk the idea that its vaunted secret archives are all that secret. But a certain aura of myth and mystery has persisted — until now.

During Lent, Pope Francis said, Catholics—and especially Catholic seminarians—should rediscover the joy of simplicity, and pay less attention to their appearance and more to their prayer lives.

“We humbly seek the Lord’s grace for the healing of all those who were impacted by this tragic event,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City following a shooting at the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, recently made comments regarding the death toll in Gaza that the The Israeli Embassy to the Holy See has defined as “regrettable.”

In a newly published book interview, Pope Francis reflects on Pope Benedict XVI's historic decision to resign, describing their deep relationship and occasional disagreements.

The Vatican has recently focused its efforts on not closing off women in the Church to the process of liturgical formation saying it's not for “a few experts” but should be a goal for all Catholics.