Even after decades of Ireland’s rapid societal secularization, clergy and laypeople have cause for optimism about the renewal of the Catholic faith first brought to the Emerald Isle by St. Patrick in 432.

The bishops of Poland announced they will create a commission of experts to investigate cases of abuse of minors by clergy from the past, including Karol Wojtyla's archbishopric.

Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary-general of the Synod, has named Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas, and six others to be members of the preparatory commission for the general assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October.

Nicaragua’s government has proposed suspending relations with the Vatican days after Pope Francis reportedly compared President Daniel Ortega’s administration to a communist or Nazi dictatorship amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church.

Germany's Catholic bishops and lay representatives agreed to call for the church in Germany to approve blessings of same-sex unions, despite Vatican statements.

The number of women working in the Vatican has increased during Pope Francis' 10 years as pope, though women still face resistance from certain members of the church.