The Holy Spirit might be the forgotten person of the Holy Trinity.

Pope Francis is trying to ensure that those who elect his successor are humble men committed to “a church of the poor and for the poor.”

The Vatican declined to confirm or deny the remarks in keeping with its policy not to comment on the pope's private conversations.

The church must "remain female" and "have this attitude of a wife and mother" who nurtures her children, the pope said in his homily May 21 during a morning Mass commemorating the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Archbishop Matteo Zuppi of Bologna calls Father James Martin’s book ‘Building a Bridge’ ‘useful for encouraging dialogue, as well as reciprocal knowledge and understanding.’

Eleven of the new cardinals are under the age of 80 and so have the right to vote in the next conclave.