"You Russians have in your blood, in your humanistic and religious tradition" an understanding of love, Francis said to Russian cosmonauts.

Rarely does the death of a private citizen elicit a formal letter of condolence from the Pope.

Pope Francis' committee of advisers on protecting children from sexually abusive priests is expanding its workload to include the needs and rights of children fathered by Roman Catholic priests.

Belgian religious order defies orders from Rome, setting up a confrontation over doctrine.

Pope Francis' absence was widely noted as tensions over the liturgy continue within the Church.

The ruling Communist Party is again telling members that atheism remains a core value, not to be transgressed.

Bishops in Ireland have created detailed guidelines to address the plight of children born to Catholic priests and the women who bear them.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin said some of the problems identified by current and former Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital staff in 2014 were "truly unfounded." But for problems that were verified, there is a "serious effort to resolve them."

The mission of the Vatican hospital is "today more aimed at profit than on caring for children," according to a report from the AP.

Four cardinals are pressing their case and arguing that the issue is dividing the Catholic Church.