Pope’s Canonization of Paul VI and Romero Is Both Personal and Political

NICOLE WINFIELD / The Associated Press Oct 13, 2018 Pope Francis shows an affinity for Paul VI and set a goal to make him a saint. He views Romero as a true martyr who was gunned down while working with El Salvador's poor. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Abuse Scandal Hits Diocese of Cardinal Set to Meet With Pope

NOMAAN MERCHANT / The Associated Press Sep 12, 2018 Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, head of a delegation of U.S. Catholic leaders going to the Vatican to discuss the abuse crisis, is accused of not doing enough to stop a priest now arrested on sexual misconduct charges.  Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Catholic Faithful Demand Change After Sex Abuse Scandals

AMY FORLITI / The Associated Press Sep 8, 2018 "I've never seen anything like this before," says one activist about the laity's engagement in seeking reforms amid new revelations of sex abuse by priests and allegations of widespread cover-ups. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Pope Is Silent on Charge That He Covered Up for Archbishop

NICOLE WINFIELD / The Associated Press Aug 26, 2018 The Vatican's retired ambassador to the U.S., in a letter that includes an anti-homosexual diatribe, alleges Francis knew in 2013 about sexual misconduct by the archbishop of Washington. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Pope in Ireland Vows to End Cover-Up of Clergy Sex Abuse

NICOLE WINFIELD and MARIA GRAZIA MURRU / The Associated Press Aug 25, 2018 The Roman Catholic Church leader says he shares the outrage over the church's role in concealing the "repugnant crimes" and commits to end the "scourge." Victims say his words need to be backed by action. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Pope on Sex Abuse: We Showed No Care for the Children

Nicole Winfield / The Associated Press Aug 20, 2018 In a letter, the pontiff urges Catholics across the world to root out abuse and cover-ups. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Vatican Voices ‘Shame and Sorrow’ Over Abuse by U.S. Priests

FRANCES D'EMILIO / The Associated Press Aug 16, 2018 The pope isn't quoted in the statement, made in reaction to a Pennsylvania grand jury finding that clergymen molested large numbers of children over decades. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Pope Calls Death Penalty Unacceptable in All Cases

NICOLE WINFIELD / The Associated Press Aug 2, 2018 The pontiff has approved a change to the Catechism of the Catholic Church—the compilation of official Catholic teaching—to say that capital punishment constitutes an "attack" on the dignity of human beings. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Pope Strips U.S. Prelate of Rank After Claims of Sexual Abuse

FRANCES D'EMILIO / The Associated Press Jul 28, 2018 In a move described as unprecedented, the pontiff acts before the accusations are investigated by church officials in the case of Theodore McCarrick, emeritus archbishop of Washington, D.C. McCarrick was heavily involved in the Catholic Church's response to allegations of priestly abuse in the U.S. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Philippine President Slammed for Calling God ‘Stupid’

JIM GOMEZ / The Associated Press Jun 25, 2018 Rodrigo Duterte, known for his controversial statements, sparks new outrage in Asia's largest Catholic country. Political and religious leaders are quick to denounce him as "evil" and a "madman." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Pope Punishes Cardinal in Sexual Abuse Case

MICHAEL R. SISAK / The Associated Press Jun 20, 2018 Theodore McCarrick, 87, the retired archbishop of Washington, D.C., has been removed from public ministry and faces further punishment over allegations he sexually abused a teenager more than 40 years ago. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Pope: Abortion Is ‘White Glove’ Equivalent to Nazi Crimes

NICOLE WINFIELD / The Associated Press Jun 16, 2018 Pope Francis denounces abortion, urges families to accept the children that God gives them. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )