Ms. Scaraffia described the spaces women have carved out for themselves to speak freely as “a hidden schism in the church, where the religious are separating themselves from the church.”

Some background to the kerfuffle over Pope Francis and kissing the papal ring.

During his May 31-June 2 visit to Romania, Pope Francis will beatify seven bishop-martyrs who died as a result of an anti-religious campaign during Romania's Communist regime. During that trip, the pope will also meet with Romania's Roma community.

“Young people who are seeking or questioning their future can find Mary to be the one who helps them discern God’s plan for them and find the strength to follow it.”

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, the archbishop of Santiago, Chile, the Vatican announced on March 23.

Catholic social thought has much to teach us about how to balance our commitment to the common good with contemporary economic practices and structures.