The pope’s comments have provoked consternation among previous admirers, who worry that he is walking back the more pastoral approach to L.G.B.T. Catholics that has been his hallmark, and rejoicing among some of his usual critics, who complain that his persistent emphasis on mercy can sometimes break church doctrine.

Gerry and Colleen look into some new developments in the stories surrounding the U.S. bishops' delay of the vote on new sex abuse protocols. They also discuss Pope Francis’ recent initiatives to make “invisible people visible.”

A disaster like this creates so many brutal little ironies.

The U.S. Catholic bishops voted to accept the first pastoral letter against racism in almost 40 years.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” we devote the entire show to recent developments in the sexual abuse crisis.

The Vatican has asked them to delay the vote until after a February meeting in Rome with the heads of bishops conferences from around the world to discuss sexual abuse.