For gay Catholics who remember the dark days of the AIDS epidemic, when their friends and partners were shunned by families and church leaders, the pope’s words may strike a strong emotional chord.

“With a very grateful and humble heart, I thank Pope Francis for this appointment which will allow me to work more closely with him in caring for Christ’s Church,” Gregory said in a statement issued by the archdiocese.

The new cardinals will bring the total number of cardinal electors to 128, of whom 73 will have been appointed by Pope Francis.

Many are wondering after the lack of response by the Vatican to questions raised about what Pope Francis actually said about civil unions.

Acutis’s beatification is a beacon to all those who live their lives, for better or for worse, increasingly online.

Joe Biden made the perfect reply to a child who is sorry and shaky and demoralized and has no idea how to fix the damage caused: the recommitment to unconditional love.