Pope Francis' remarks from his general audience on Wednesday, Nov. 25

China has gained international prestige because of its relations with the Vatican. The Holy See should now seek to obtain more concrete results from its deal with Beijing.

Vatican authorities, the U.S. bishops conference and the apostolic nuncio heard scattered allegations about misconduct by McCarrick but discounted them because their sources were considered unreliable.

Pope Francis has made another critical decision in the ongoing reform of Vatican finances.

The primacy of the church at the peripheries has been a key theme in Francis’ selection of cardinals. He has used the cardinalate to reach communities in countries that are experiencing poverty, conflict and political tension.

The new cardinals will bring the total number of cardinal electors to 128, of whom 73 will have been appointed by Pope Francis.