Vatican Dispatch

Francis’ visit takes him to ‘the peripheries of the South American periphery.’

Something akin to a resurrection is taking place in the Catholic Church in Latin America, thanks to Pope Francis. The memory of great church leaders is being revived and honored; the sacrifice of bishops and priests killed under military dictatorships is being recognized and venerated; and some theo

The church speaks out on the great challenge of our time: sustainable development.

The drowning of 900 migrants from many countries in the Mediterranean on the night of April 18 jolted consciences worldwide. It was but the latest, though the worst, in a series of similar tragedies in the sea between North Africa and Europe in recent years: 3,200 drowned last year, over 1,700 so fa

Is an accord between the Holy See and China on the horizon? China watchers are asking this question following a flurry of interviews, articles and comments in the Chinese and Italian media in early 2015.The interest began when Vatican Insider interviewed some Chinese bishops who encouraged the Holy

Francis calls on world leaders to stop persecution in the Middle East.

The news, though ground-breaking, went largely unnoticed. The Vatican has given its clearance to open the cause on May 3 for the canonization of Dom Hélder Câmara, the “bishop of the poor” and one of the most influential Latin American church leaders of the 20th century.Cardinal Angelo

On March 13, Pope Francis surprised the world by proclaiming a year-long Jubilee of Mercy. Since then he has begun to give indications, in homilies and talks, as to what this entails.As I write, the formal bull of indiction has not yet been published. That will be done on April 12, the Second Sunday

Revelation that the pope has “the feeling” that his papacy will be a short one has caused deep concern among Catholics worldwide

Pope Francis’ words have raised hopes among women, and some impatience.