News reports, to the chagrin of the synod office, have focused primarily on the questions of the ordination of married men and women deacons—questions on which it invites discussion but makes no recommendations.

Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tenn., and Bishop Joseph Strickland, of Tyler, Tex., have both been subject to apostolic visitations recently. Here’s what we do (and don’t) know about the Vatican interventions.

Since February, Pope Francis has appointed four men under age 60 to lead major archdioceses around the world, in what have widely been viewed as efforts to shore up his legacy.

How does the Vatican communicate about the pope’s health—and what accounts for their changing tactics?

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time, by Colleen Dulle

Bishop Joseph Strickland recently accused Pope Francis of “undermining the Deposit of Faith.” It remains unknown whether Francis will publicly respond but past cases provide a clue of how the pope will approach this latest challenge.

My relationship with Mary is complicated. I couldn't see the appeal of Marian devotion until I had a baby and understood how she embodies the life-giving sacrifice of motherhood.

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Colleen Dulle

A Reflection for Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time, by Colleen Dulle

The former conference president Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard admitted he behaved in a “reprehensible way with a 14-year-old girl” 35 years ago. Here’s where his case stands at the Vatican.