The study groups are investigating questions such as how to improve seminary education, ministry to LGBTQ Catholics and possible ministry roles for women in the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals on December 8, 20 of whom can vote for a new pope. Among them are Frank Leo, archbishop of Toronto, and Timothy Radcliffe, former master of the Dominicans.

As we approach the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, ‘America’ takes a look back at our coverage of the conflict as it unfolded.

"All That Breathes" links environmental degradation with the degradation of human beings.

Bolstered by extensive research and passionate prose, 'In the Shadow of Freedom' makes a compelling argument for Catholics in particular to pay more heed to reconciliation and healing for the racist history of the United States.

The church's teachings on just war place limits on the permissible methods to bring someone to justice. So too does international law, and hiding explosives in everyday items like pagers and walkie-talkies is a violation of the 1899 Hague Convention, which prohibits “treacherous killing.”

Father Orobator, a Nigerian Jesuit and voting member of the synod, understands the skepticism that has crept in since last year’s session. But he still has hope for the synodal process.

One South African theologian described “a deep sense of disillusionment that the church, on the one hand, is saying we need to be a synodal listening church, and has yet again taken the diaconate for women off the table.”

In this episode of "Inside the Vatican," Gerry and Colleen discuss the most newsworthy moments from Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium.

Conversion is never easy, but participants from all continents must undergo conversion if the synod is to successfully carry out its task, Gerard O’Connell writes.