Donations from the United States led charitable giving to the annual Peter’s Pence collection, which supports the work of the Roman Curia and funds the charitable activity of the pope.

The pope has issued new regulations for the creation of religious groups, with the apparent intent of preventing anti-Vatican II and abusive organizations to form.

On this episode of “Inside the Vatican,” Gerry and Colleen consider the reasons to heed, or not, the rumors that Pope Francis will soon follow in the footsteps of Benedict XVI and Celestine V.

A new book, citing recently opened Vatican archives, suggests that Pope Pius XII avoided conflict with Nazis and that the Vatican worked hardest to save Jews who had converted to Catholicism.

Pope Francis’ planned trip to the tomb of Celestine V—the first pope in history to resign by choice—is fueling speculation the the pontiff might be preparing to retire soon.

The pope continues to express his desire to visit Ukraine, but remains cognizant of political and practical limitations to this objective.