A local Italian group launched an online petition urging Pope Francis, the Vatican and others to stop the “fir tree-icide” of cutting down a 200-year-old red pine to decorate St. Peter’s Square for Christmas.

Flying bishops, eminent birthdays and getting lost in translation: Funny stuff that Father James Martin heard inside the synod hall.

Pope Francis said that Christian faith must disturb the powers that be.

Pope Francis said the international community should investigate whether Israel’s military actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

Archbishop Welby, who resigned last week in response to the charges that he had failed to report sexual abuse, had a rapport with Pope Francis that went far beyond dutiful ecumenism.

Bishop Carlos Enrique Herrera of Jinotega was forced to leave Nicaragua after accusing a local Sandinista mayor of sacrilege for disturbing a celebration of the Mass by blaring loud music outside the cathedral, according to Nicaraguan media.