Pope Francis’ second visit to Asia (Jan. 12 to 19)—to Sri Lanka and the Philippines—is about to take place as I write. I am one of some 70 reporters accompanying him and will report for America. Here I wish to simply highlight some similarities and differences between the two count

'Every instigation to violence must be rejected.'

Pope Francis has announced that he will create 15 new cardinals from 13 countries who will have the right to vote in the next conclave almost all are bishops of dioceses from all continents and several are from nbsp lsquo the peripheries rsquo of the world He will also give the red hat to 5 ret

Pope Francis highlighted the killing and maltreatment of children in so many countries as he issued a passionate plea for peace in his second Christmas message to the city of Rome and to the World ldquo Urbi et Orbi rdquo and reminded his global audience that ldquo Jesus is the salvation for

Many in Rome believe that 2015 could prove to be a watershed year in the pontificate of the first Latin American pope.

Pope Francis in a hard hitting talk on the eve of Christmas called on all the members of the Roman Curia to examine their consciences on 15 possible ldquo diseases rdquo ldquo illnesses rdquo that they may have contracted during their lives in the service of the church nbsp Addressing the ca

An internal Vatican document examines and disputes claim by Cardinal Pell.

The following note has just been issued by the Vatican rsquo s Secretariat of State communicating Pope Francis rsquo congratulations to US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro for the historic decision by both Governments to establish diplomatic relations and with the aim of overc

The enchanting music and song of the Missa Criolla resounded through St Peter rsquo s Basilica on the evening of Dec 12 as Francis the first Latin American pope celebrated mass on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and expressed the hope that the continent where he was born would distinguish its

What an extraordinary year this has been for the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis, who continues to inspire and reach the hearts of people far beyond its boundaries!In this last Vatican Dispatch of the year, I will briefly review what the Argentine pope has done to change the chu