Dispatches

Pope Appoints Robert W. McElroy, Advocate for the Poor, as bishop of San Diego.

by Gerard O’Connell March 3, 2015

Another highly significant U.S. appointment from Pope Francis

Dispatches

Pope Appoints Charles Scicluna, former Vatican Chief-Prosecutor in Abuse Cases, as Archbishop of Malta

by Gerard O’Connell February 27, 2015

Pope Francis has appointed Charles Scicluna the Vatican rsquo s former chief prosecutor of clergy who abuse minors as archbishop of Malta The Vatican made the announcement on Feb 27 though the news had been broken some days earlier by the press in Malta The 55-year-old Toronto-born Maltese prelat

Vatican Dispatch

Road Map for Church Leaders

by Gerard O’Connell February 25, 2015

Pope Francis’ electrifying homily to the new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica on Feb. 15 stands out as one of the richest, most significant and powerful that he has given in his two-year pontificate. Focused on “the Gospel of the marginalized,” it provides a road map for Cat

CLUTCH OF CARDINALS. Cardinals discuss reform of the Roman Curia before the consistory on Feb. 14.

Signs Of the Times

At Consistory, Cardinals Sense Francis Is Getting ‘the Work’ Done

by Gerard O’Connell February 17, 2015

The establishment of two new congregations—the first for Laity-Family Life, the second for Charity-Justice-Peace, which includes a new office for ecology—were among the proposals for reform of the Roman Curia that were presented to the College of Cardinals on Feb. 12 at the opening sessi

Vatican Dispatch

Francis and Congress

by Gerard O’Connell February 17, 2015

Visit shows how far America has come since anti-Catholic climate of its early history

Dispatches

Pope Francis: ‘The Gospel of the Marginalized Is Where Our Credibility Is Found and Revealed’

by Gerard O’Connell February 15, 2015

ldquo The Gospel of the marginalized is where our credibility is found and revealed rsquo Pope Francis told the new cardinals as he spelled out clearly the direction he wants the leadership of the Catholic Church to take in the world today He did so in an inspiring and highly significant homily d

Pope Francis leaves after a consistory at which he created 20 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 14. Retired Pope Benedict XVI, pictured at right in the background, attended the ceremony. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Dispatches

Pope to New Cardinals: Be Examples of Charity

by Gerard O’Connell February 14, 2015

Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals from 17 countries in St Peter rsquo s Basilica on Feb 14 in the presence of his predecessor Benedict XVI Being a cardinal is ldquo an honor rdquo but ldquo not a kind of accessory a decoration like an honorary title rdquo he told them As cardinals he

Dispatches

Cardinals Support Reforms So Far in Roman Curia, Particularly Vatican Finances

by Gerard O’Connell February 13, 2015

Cardinals from all continents expressed ldquo appreciation rdquo for the reforms already achieved or underway in the Roman Curia under Pope Francis particularly in the field of Vatican Finances but they recognized that there is still a long way to go before the reform can be completed They also

Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with cardinals and cardinals-designate in the synod hall at the Vatican Feb. 12. At left is Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals.

Dispatches

New Office on Ecology, 2 New Congregations in Reform Plan for Roman Curia

by Gerard O’Connell February 12, 2015

The establishment of two new congregations mdash the first for ldquo Laity-Family-Life rdquo the second for ldquo Charity-Justice-Peace rdquo that includes a new office for ecology mdash were among the proposals for reform of the Roman Curia that were presented to the College of Cardinals on F