History's first American pope reaffirmed Wednesday that the primary role of bishops is to forge unity in his diocese among clergy and to be close to his flock in word and deed.

As a Chicago-born math major, canon lawyer and two-time superior of his global Augustinian religious order, the 69-year-old pope presumably can read a balance sheet and make sense of the Vatican’s complicated finances, which have long been mired in scandal.

Pope Leo is an avid tennis player and fan and had said earlier this week that he would be up for a charity match when it was suggested by a journalist. But, Leo joked, “we can’t invite Sinner.”

What time will we see black or white smoke? How can I watch the chimney for white or black smoke?

Preparations for the conclave to find a new pope accelerated Friday with the installation of the chimney out of the Sistine Chapel that will signal the election of a successor to Pope Francis.

A conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis will begin on Wednesday, May 7, the Vatican announced Monday.

Pope Francis’ Jesuit religious order is making a broad gesture of reparations to some 20 women who say they were sexually, psychologically and spiritually abused by a famous ex-Jesuit artist.

The 88-year-old pope continues his slow recovery from double pneumonia, with results of more medical tests expected later Thursday.

Pope Francis’ hospital stay is raising obvious questions about what happens if he loses consciousness for a prolonged period, or whether he might follow in Pope Benedict XVI’s footsteps and resign if he becomes unable to lead.

A British court backed a Vatican tribunal's ruling that financier Raffaele Mancione defrauded the Holy See of tens of millions of euros related to a London property.