Pope Francis has defrocked the Chilean priest at the center of the global sex abuse scandal rocking his papacy, invoking his “supreme” authority to stiffen a sentence originally handed down by a Vatican court in 2011.
Pope Francis
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Viganò accuses Pope Francis of slander and hypocrisy in new letter
In this second document, Viganò confirms what was already evident to everyone: His real target is Pope Francis.
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis leaves positive impression in the Baltic states
The spirit of Pope Francis will remain in the Baltic states for a long time to come.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Brazil’s Catholics to Pope Francis: We’ve got your back
Several bishops in the biggest country in Latin America have stepped forward in recent weeks to demonstrate their full support of the pontiff.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis writes a letter to Chinese Catholics on trust and reconciliation
Pope Francis urged Chinese Catholics on Wednesday to trust God and make concrete gestures of reconciliation following the landmark deal over bishop appointments.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis explains the China-Vatican agreement
“Rome nominates, the pope nominates. That is clear!”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis addresses abuse crisis following his trip to the Baltics
“I have never, never given a pardon on a conviction.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis in Estonia: Church must convert to reach young people turned off by scandal
The pope said he knows that young people “are upset by sexual and economic scandals that do not meet with clear condemnation.”
Posted inExplainer, Faith
The root of the China-Vatican agreement: Napoleon
Napoleon’s consolidation of power in France in 1801 involved the recognition of the pope as the “ordinary and immediate pastor” of the universal church—a key component in the impending agreement between the Vatican and China.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis to Latvians: “It is possible to build unity in diversity.”
It was an important message for the 2.2 million people of Latvia, where today 37 percent of the population are Russian.