A mother embraces her son in Amatrice, Italy, following an earthquake Aug. 24. (CNS photo/Massimo Percossi, EPA)

Dispatches

As the quake’s death toll grows, scenes of tragedy and heroism in central Italy

by Gerard O’Connell August 25, 2016

The sorrow and pain is great. The stories of heroic deeds of rescuers and ordinary people are great, too.

Dispatches

Pope Franics expresses “heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness” to those hit by powerful earthquake in Italy

by Gerard O’Connell August 24, 2016

The quake left at least 120 people dead, including many children, and obliterated mountain villages.

Pope Francis releases doves prior to celebrating Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul Nov. 29. (CNS photo/Stoyan Nenov, Reuters)

Dispatches

Pope Francis is returning to Assisi, 30 years after the first interfaith World Day of Prayer for Peace

by Gerard O’Connell August 18, 2016

The pope is expected to reaffirm the vital contribution that different religions can make to peace in the 21st century.

Dispatches

At the Vatican, French president thanks Pope Francis for his support after recent terror attacks

by Gerard O’Connell August 17, 2016

After years of frosty relations between France and the Holy See, François Hollande speaks from his heart to a pope who much prefers this attitude

Dispatches

Pope Francis appoints Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas to head new department for laity

by Gerard O’Connell August 17, 2016

Bishop Kevin Farrell is known as a pastor “with the smell of the sheep.”

Pope Francis greets new Cardinal Soane Mafi of Tonga during the February 2015 consistory at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Vatican Dispatch

How Pope Francis chooses new cardinals

by Gerard O’Connell August 16, 2016

In choosing new cardinals, Francis has been guided by five criteria.

Pope Francis prays in the Portiuncola, the chapel inside the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, in Assisi, Italy, Aug. 4. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters)

Dispatches

Pope Francis in Assisi: ‘The world needs forgiveness’

by Gerard O’Connell August 4, 2016

“How truly difficult it is for us to pardon those who have done us wrong!”

Signs Of the Times

World Youth Day Concludes With Message of Courage and Hope

by Gerard O’Connell August 4, 2016

Pope Francis bade farewell on July 31 to an estimated 1.6 million young people from 187 countries in Krakow, Poland, for World Youth Day. In his homily at the festival Mass, he challenged them “to have the courage to be more powerful than evil by loving everyone, even our enemies.”Franci

China's flag waves as Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in June. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Dispatches

Is the Holy See reaching a breakthrough with Beijing?

by Gerard O’Connell August 4, 2016

Cardinal Tong seeks to respond to those who wonder whether an agreement between the Holy See and Beijing “may be going against the principles of the church.”