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The Vatican
More than One Month Ago
Taiwanese authorities to Vatican: China deal not helping Catholics on the ground (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
A 'cry of hope' for the Amazon (Nicolas Senèze, La Croix International)
Inculturation: Critics of Amazon synod ignore facts of history (Robert Mickens, La Croix International)
Vatican’s U.N. rep pushes for world action to eliminate nuclear weapons (Catholic News Service)
Ordaining married permanent deacons would be 'a breach' (Claire Lesegretain, La Croix International)
Synodal creativity: Beyond the obvious headline (The proposed ordination of married men should not overshadow an open-minded gathering in Rome) (Dominique Greiner, La Croix International)
Many think Chinese regulations designed to stymie worship, church growth (Michael Sainsbury, Catholic News Service)
The Pact of the Catacombs (Domitlla): A poor servant Church
Christians, Hindus must show world peace is possible, official says (Catholic News Service)
U.N. nuncio praises nations for recognizing rights of indigenous peoples (Catholic News Service)
Vatican rep to UN addresses violence against women, human dignity (Catholic News Service)
Pope names new apostolic nuncio to Chile (Junno Arocho Esteves, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope picks anti-mafia judge for Vatican (Nicolas Senèze, La Croix International)
At Vatican, Pompeo says authoritarian regimes see God as a threat (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
China/Vatican agreement may signal lessening of religious tension (World Religion News)
Father James Martin and Catholic belief (Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, Archbishop Chaput's column: Catholic Philly)
Pope’s Message for Community of Sant’Egidio’s 33rd International Prayer Meeting for “Peace Without Borders” (Madrid, September 15-17, 2019) (Zenit:The World Seen from Rome)
New cardinals: The men are the message (Thomas Reese, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
Vatican U.N. nuncio laments ‘cycle of violence’ surrounding 9/11 attacks (Catholic News Service)
On 9/11, pope greets Vatican, Muslim leaders promoting world peace (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Vatican calls for electoral reform, negotiations to resume in Nicaragua (Catholic News Service)
Vatican tells Argentinian court accused bishop has job in Rome, despite being suspended (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Expert: New Chinese bishop no litmus test for success of Vatican-China deal (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
First Chinese bishop consecrated with pope’s OK after deal (Associated Press)
Pakistan’s religious minorities ask government for protection and rights (Robin Gomes, Vatican News)
Vatican envoy: Nicaraguan government says talks ‘concluded’ (Gabriela Selser, Associated Press)
Putting church above children: The Vatican fails to comply with a UN treaty (Paul Moses, Commonweal)
Top Vatican diplomat calls relationship with US ‘strong and solid’ (Christopher White, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
US religious freedom envoy insists Vatican-China deal should be made public (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican hailed for lifting apostolic nuncio's immunity (Nicolas Senèze, La Croix)
Vatican waives diplomatic immunity of Apostolic Nuncio in France (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Putin in Vatican to discuss restoration of Christian shrines in Syria, Roman Church's humanitarian projects in Donbas, Venezuela (Interfax-Religion)
Vatican reiterates inviolability of confessional (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican says ‘no human power’ can compel priests to violate seal of confession (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican walks tightrope on China, comes on strong with Germany and confession (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
NY Cardinal says Vatican-Israel ties have made ‘world a better place’ (Christopher White, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Iraqi envoy to Vatican urges international help for Christians to return home (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican opens historic debate on having married priests for Amazon region (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
During LGBTQ Pride Month, Vatican issues document rejecting gender change (CBS News)
During LGBTQ Pride Month, Vatican issues document on gender theory in education (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican rejects gender change to alarm of LGBT Catholics (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Top Vatican diplomat grants interview to Chinese Communist tabloid (Catholic News Service)
Suit seeks to hold Vatican at fault for abuse (Associated Press)
Abuse survivors sue vatican (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican establishes new rule for sexual abuse complaints and coverups involving bishops (Chico Harlan, The Washington Post)
S Sudan president, opposition to meet at Vatican ‘retreat’ (Nicole Winfield and Sam Mednick, Associated Press)
Pope issues new law on reporting of sex abuse of minors and vulnerable adults in Vatican (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican negotiator reveals decades-long path to China deal (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Mexico president asks Spain, Pope to apologize for conquest (Maria Verza, Associated Press)
Holy See: freedom of religion - “litmus test”of other human rights (Robin Gomes, Vatican News)
Religious persecution harms individuals, communities, Vatican official says (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Pope Francis to open archives on Pope Pius XII on March 2, 2020 (Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
Vatican to open Pius XII archives (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
'The Church has understood the seriousness of pedophilia': An interview with François Ozon, producer of the French film 'By the Grace of God' (Pierre-Olivier Boiton, La Croix International)
Opinion: Rome has spoken and Rome is finished: The Vatican’s sexual abuse summit ‘failed miserably’ (Mary Hunt, Religion Dispatches (via Rewire.News))
90 years after Lateran Pacts, ties between Italy and Vatican still tense (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
‘The inherent dignity of every human being must be firmly placed at the center of our reflection and action’ (Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
Saying It Is time to eradicate abuse and cover up, Pope reminds Lord’s words saying those who harm little ones would be better off being drowned in the depths of the sea (Deborah Castellano Lubov, Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
Journalist Valentina Alazraki urges bishops to reject secrecy (Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
Archbishop Jędraszewski: Process of purifying Church radically began with St. John Paul II (Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
With accountability demanded at day two of summit for the protection of minors, Pope appeals for valuing women as ‘the Church’ (Deborah Castellano Lubov, Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
At sex abuse summit, Catholic bishops tangle with details (Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)
At Vatican summit, talk of destroyed files riles bishops’ critics (Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)
Vatican's secret rules for Catholic priests who have children (Jason Horowitz and Elisabetta Povoledo, The New York Times)
Pope Francis calls for 'concrete and effective measures' against clerical sexual abuse at landmark Vatican summit (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Former US Archbishop dismissed from clerical state (David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Salacious new book says homosexuality is rampant at the Vatican (Daniel Burke, CNN)
Opposition delegation says Vatican supports new elections in Venezuela (Junno Arocho Esteves, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
On diplomatic milestone, is it time to rethink the role of papal envoys? (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Cardinal Müller issues Manifesto: A quasi correction of Pope Francis’ pontificate (LifeSite News)
Pope Francis under fire for claiming ‘diversity of religions’ is ‘willed by God’ (Diane Montagna, LifeSite News)
Vatican’s China policy not a competition between two sides, says official (Catholic News Service)
Row between Vatican, Italy over immigration turns personal (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The Vatican and Venezuela: Amid chaos in Caracas, the Holy See makes some subtle manoeuvres (The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Vatican underlines support of universal health care coverage (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican and Muslim experts unite to defend palliative healthcare (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican expert says anti-migrant crackdowns exacerbate trafficking (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican urges global collaboration, more prosecutions to fight trafficking (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican, Venezuela bishops play ‘good cop/bad cop’ with Maduro (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Hong Kong picks advocate of China-Vatican dialogue as bishop (Associated Press)
Vatican: Argentine bishop at Holy See under investigation (Nicole Winfield and Debora Rey, Associated Press)
Vatican visit to Iraq symbolizes promise and peril for Christian presence (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican official urges Iraq’s Christians to forgive, rebuild (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Vatican tribunal hands down first money-laundering verdict (Associated Press)
Holy See and Vietnam agree to a resident nuncio in Hanoi 'in the near future' (Asia News)
Vatican-Vietnam: Holy See delegation meetings in Hanoi (Asia News)
The extremely high stakes of the China-Vatican deal (Paul P. Mariani, America Magazine)
When it comes to migration, Vatican’s as progressive as they come (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Patriarch Kirill accuses Poroshenko of interfering in religious affairs (Interfax-Religion)
Russian FM, Vatican sec call for boosting bilateral ties (Interfax-Religion)
The Vatican and green business: How the Vatican is supporting businesses which help refugees (The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Pope revamps Vatican City State structures, laws to boost oversight (Carol Glatz and Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service)
Diplomats at Vatican back nuns in fight against human trafficking (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Chief Vatican official to attend UN migration event in Morocco (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
China and the Holy See: A step towards full diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican [post from 2018-09-25] (Erasmus, The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Sex, gambling and the internet – Vatican dives into ‘new dependencies’ (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Detention of Bishop in China's Zhejiang casts doubts on Vatican deal (Radio Free Asia)
The Vatican: The papacy is working hard to combat the sex trade (The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Pope meets Israeli president at the Vatican (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Vatican asks US bishops for delay in responding to sex abuse crisis (Christopher White, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
East Timor government blocks president’s planned visit to Vatican (Michael Sainsbury, Catholic News Service)
Christians, Hindus can unite to defend poor, marginalized, Vatican says (Junno Arocho Esteves, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Issue of married Catholic priests gains traction under pope (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Vatican recognizes territorial integrity of Georgia – official (Interfax-Religion)
Chinese provincial official: Vatican will interfere in religious affairs (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
US briefs Iraq Chaldean head, Vatican on aid after critique (Associated Press)
Vatican must act as China sends religion to cyber-limbo (Peter Liu, La Croix International)
2 Chinese bishops participating in Vatican synod in a first (Associated Press)
China's Christians have 'mixed feelings' about Vatican agreement on bishops (Radio Free Asia)
Vatican signs potentially historic deal with China on bishops (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican reaches provisional agreement with China over recognition of bishops (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Another Vatican diplomatic blunder (George Weigel, National Review)
Refugees speak on role of the Church at global conference on xenophobia that brings Vatican and WCC together (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Chinese paper says Vatican may send delegation to China soon (Reuters)
Catholic donor denies he consulted on Viganò allegations against Pope Francis (Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)
In defense of Pope Francis (Father Michel-Marie Zanotti-Sorkine, La Croix International)
Vatican removes reference to ‘psychiatric help’ for gay kids (Associated Press)
‘Foreign forces’ can’t control religion, Chinese official says amid Vatican talks (South China Morning Post)
New revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty – Rescriptum “ex Audentia SS.mi”, 02.08.2018 (Holy See Press Office)
Letter to the Bishops regarding the new revision of number 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the death penalty, from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Holy See Press Office)
Prosecutor in US disagrees with Pope Francis’s death penalty ruling (Associated Press)
The Catholic Church and justice: The Vatican shows an overdue decisiveness on sexual abuse (Erasmus, The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
What makes the Holy See’s diplomacy unique, according to Vatican’s foreign minister (Courtney Grogan, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican-OK’d journal strikes out again at US evangelicals (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Indian Church, Indonesian Muslims, Iran mourn Cardinal Tauran (Robin Gomes, Vatican News)
A giant of Vatican diplomacy: Jean-Louis Tauran opposed the Gulf war and mended fences with Islam (Erasmus, The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Vatican convicts ex-diplomat of child porn distribution (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Vatican diplomat admits he possessed child abuse images (The Guardian)
Vatican, Mexico lament children suffer most from migration (Associated Press)
Vatican-backed family rally to have speech on welcoming gays (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Vatican stalls German bishops’ plan to give Protestants Communion (Christopher Lamb, Religion News Service)
Vatican document hints at new debate over married clergy (Stephanie Kirchgaessner, The Guardian)
Vatican hospital issues new charter on rights of 'incurable' children (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican diplomat expresses hope for peace on Korean peninsula (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican document on economic ethics is a dismal read on a timely topic (Thomas Reese, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
The best Vatican document on economics for some time (Philip Booth, Catholic Herald)
Vatican sees risk of ‘social collapse’ in global economic order (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican denounces offshore tax havens as harming the poor (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Why Vatican won’t be joining U.S. on Jerusalem’s Embassy Row (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican advises nuns not to overindulge in social media (Angela Giuffrida, The Guardian)
Taiwan's bishops gather at the Vatican for first time in 10 years (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Abide in darkness: China’s war on religion stalls Vatican deal (Eva Dou and Francis X. Rocca, The Wall Street Journal)
Francis speaks out on 'modern-day slavery' (La Croix International)
Former Guam archbishop appears in Rome function, stirs controversy (La Croix International)
Vatican's instruction on improving canon law studies, now in English (La Croix International)
Embezzlement trial begins for ex-Vatican Bank president (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican requests courses to fill ‘urgent need’ for training in canon law (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Cardinal George Pell likely to face two trials over historical sexual offence allegations (Melissa Davey, The Guardian)
Top Vatican diplomat speaks on war in Syria, peace in Korea, Chinese bishops, and Alfie Evans (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Medical experts who are religious leaders look at faith, health, healing (Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service)
Vatican reportedly rejects German bishops' proposal for intercommunion of spouses (Catholic News Agency)
Case of Jewish boy taken by pope flares over doctored memoir (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
The doctored 'memoir' of a Jewish boy kidnapped by the Vatican (David I. Kertzer, The Atlantic)
Vatican urges Buddhists to join fight against corruption (Associated Press)
Trump’s policy on Israel presents new and difficult challenges for the Vatican (Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, La Croix)
Vatican arrests diplomat accused of viewing child porn (Associated Press)
Pope and Armenian president unveil monument to Armenian saint in Vatican Gardens (Interfax-Religion)
Vatican deal would keep China in charge of church, Beijing says (Eva Dou, The Wall Street Journal)
China insists on control of religion, dimming hope of imminent Vatican deal (Steven Lee Myers, The New York Times)
No wonder the pope has caused confusion. Heaven and hell are a state of mind (Andrew Brown, The Guardian)
Vatican scrambles after pope appears to deny existence of hell (Angela Giuffrida, The Guardian)
Vatican to hold exorcist training course after 'rise in possessions' (Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian)
Report: Key unofficial bishop in Vatican-China deal detained (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Vatican battles progressive female elements during conferences (Alison Lesley, World Religion News)
Cardinal Tong says opposing Vatican-China deal is 'unreasonable' (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
China expert says Vatican deal on bishops might really happen (Barb Fraze, Catholic News Service)
The Vatican is wooing Silicon Valley (Sigal Samuel and Josephine McKenna, The Atlantic)
Vatican stages UN event to protest ‘genocide’ against Down Syndrome (Christopher White, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican media chief resigns over doctored letter scandal (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Letter from Benedict brings down Vatican media czar (Thomas Reese, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
Vatican bows to pressure, releases retired pope’s letter (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Vatican convicts ex-Guam archbishop accused of abuse (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Vatican doctors photo of Benedict’s praise for Francis (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Vatican removes from office and exiles Guam archbishop accused of sexual abuse (Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)
China tells Vatican it’s fighting illegal organ transplants (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
In China, government-appointed bishops support Xi, Vatican-China deal (Courtney Grogan, Catholic News Agency)
Cardinal Zen: Vatican-China proposal weakens the Church (Catholic News Agency)
Vatican confirms papal visit to Baltic nations in September (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican hosts first hackathon to tackle global issues (Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian)
UN warned of religious animosity by Vatican official (Kelly Frazier, World Religion News)
Vatican official warns U.N. of hostility toward religion (Catholic News Service)
Allegations about 40 gay priests in Italy sent to Vatican (The Associated Press, Religion News Service)
Vatican magazine denounces nuns’ servitude (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Vatican magazine tells Catholic church to stop using nuns as cheap labour (Agence France-Presse, The Guardian)
Hong Kong Catholics condemn China-Vatican deal (Suzanne Sataline, Voice of America)
Nearly 50,000 baptisms registered in China in 2017, says Vatican agency (Herald Malaysia)
Expert says Vatican’s proposed deal with China is “limp” (John Allen and Claire Giangravé, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The Vatican and China: Making the best of a bad situation (Thomas Reese, RNS Column: Signs of the Times)
Petition opposing Vatican deal with China targeted in cyberattack originating from Tianjin, organisers say (Kris Cheng, Hong Kong Free Press)
Vatican denies report Benedict XVI has neurological disease (The Associated Press, Religion News Service)
Vatican seeks to defuse scandal, says pope meets victims (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
China's Catholics rue church's slide as powers debate control (Ian Johnson, The New York Times)
Vatican agreement with China could 'deal blow' to Catholic church (Harriet Sherwood, The Guardian)
Vatican expert to meet delegation in Chile bishop dispute (Eva Vergara and Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
China’s price: Catholics argue over the value of a breakthrough deal with China (Erasmus, The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
No more nukes? Am exchange (Michael C. Desch and Gerard F. Powers, Commonweal)
Catholics have a messaging problem in China (Caroline Kitchener, The Atlantic)
China-Vatican deal shocks Chinese Catholics (UCANews)
Moscow exhibit on Vatican-Russia ties latest sign of growing relationship (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican official praises China for witness to Catholic social teaching (Catholic News Agency)
Vatican and China are patching up dispute over bishops (Nathan Glover, World Religion News)
Vatican-China bishops deal is 'imminent', sources say (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Possible deal between Vatican and China alarms many Catholics (Simon Denyer, The Washington Post)
Possible deal between Vatican and China alarms many Catholics (Simon Denyer, The Washington Post)
Vatican nixes former Irish president from Women’s Day event (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Is Taiwan about to lose another diplomatic ally? (Shannon Tiezzi, The Diplomat)
Explaining why the Vatican seems so eager for a deal with China (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Despite 'regrettable' reports, Francis is well informed on China, Vatican says (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican courts China with plan to install excommunicated bishop (Associated Press, The Guardian)
Cardinal critic reveals drama in Vatican’s overture to China (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Cardinal Zen attacks Vatican efforts to rehabilitate government-appointed Chinese bishops (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
In wake of Trump furor, Vatican delivers show of solidarity for Africa (John Allen and Claire Giangravé, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
As church/state tensions mount in Congo, Vatican trip in limbo (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Turkish president to visit Vatican in February to discuss status of Jerusalem (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican social media re-branding has reached over 4 million followers (Gary Nguyen, World Religion News)
Israeli envoy to Vatican: ‘We want peace as much as His Holiness’ (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican takes over scandal-hit Catholic society on eve of pope's trip to Peru (Associated Press in Vatican City, The Guardian)
Holy See highlights digitally conscious media community under Vatican News logo (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Vatican roundup: Pope and Islam, the Queen, a Polish legend and Padre Pio (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican issues new rules for relics in saint-making process (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Delicate art of diplomacy needed to build peaceful future, pope says (Junno Arocho Esteves, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican voices concern over Trump's Jerusalem move (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Analysis: What the Vatican does to stop money laundering (Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency)
Amid embassy furor, Vatican cautions against ‘new cycle of violence’ (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Beijing bans tours to Vatican amid strained ties (UCA News)
China bans tours to the Vatican (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican to UN: We must work together to eliminate causes of human trafficking (Catholic News Agency)
Vatican representative says people in Zimbabwe must ‘pressure’ new government (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican official calls Trump’s Haiti move ‘a sad decision’ (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican, China exchange art amid stall in hard diplomacy (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Curia reform: Pope Francis reorganizes Vatican Secretariat of State (Andrea Galiarducci, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope hosts poor, homeless with gourmet meal at Vatican: They are our 'passport to paradise' (Reuters, The Christian Post)
Vatican summit seeks comprehensive, global healthcare reform (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
World leaders are meeting at the Vatican to discuss nuclear weapons. Here’s why. (Kevin Clarke, America Magazine)
Holy smoke! Vatican to stop selling cigarettes (The Associated Press, Religion News Service)
New book alleges gay sex in Vatican dorm, shady banking (The Associated Press)
Cardinal says Vatican wants contact with North Korea to ease tensions (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
UN nuncio: Peace maintained by ‘mutually assured destruction’ is not real peace (Christopher White, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Amid growing U.S. – North Korea tension, Vatican hosts meeting on nuclear weapons (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Trafficking expert tells Vatican summit, ‘Slavery was never abolished’ (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope calls space, takes small step for Vatican-Russian ties (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Vatican aims to head off US-North Korea nuclear standoff (The Associated Press, Religion News Service)
Catalonia the elephant in the room at Vatican summit on Europe (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope Francis invites prisoners to lunch, instead they escape (Mary Rezac, Catholic News Agency)
Callista Gingrich confirmed as Ambassador to the Vatican (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican court convicts ex-hospital head over luxury housing scandal (Deutsche Welle)
Vatican: Canada did not seek extradition for diplomat with porn charges (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Find ways to keep migrant families together, Vatican official says (Carol Glatz, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican Bank begins civil action over investments in Malta in sign of tackling “past abuses” (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Australian bishops meet in Rome as Church reels from recent crisis (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Godless society will not conquer extremism - Vatican representative in Russia (Interfax-Religion)
Top Vatican official says ‘tragic experience’ on sex abuse helps Church lead (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Experts say online child abuse pervasive, growing, and needs coordinated response (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican conference tackles new technology and medicine (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican official condemns discrimination against women (Matt Fowler, Catholic News Service)
Religious minorities need protection, says top Vatican official (Matt Fowler, Catholic News Service)
Female envoys to Vatican say it’s past time for Church to empower women (Inés San Martín and Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Ending human trafficking requires everyone’s efforts, archbishop says (Perry West, Catholic News Agency)
Korea exhibit at Vatican shares history, peace through art (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Film starring Pope Francis as himself gets first screening at Vatican (Dalya Alberge, The Guardian)
Pope trip to Congo won’t happen until after elections, says Vatican ambassador (Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope praises Rome’s first interreligious half-marathon (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Vatican recalls priest from US as child porn investigation opens (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Official at Vatican embassy to United States removed over child porn allegations (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican diplomat recalled amid child porn investigation (Nicole Winfield and Matthew Lee, AP News)
For the first time, the papal nuncio to Italy is not Italian (Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency)
Reforming Catholic liturgy should be like updating software (Thomas Reese, RNS Column: American Catholic)
Pope Francis moves to develop a more decentralized church (Nicolas Senèze, La Croix International)
Motu proprio “Magnum Principium” (David Pocklington, Law & Religion UK)
Is Pope Francis wearing down Vatican bureaucracy? (Robert Mickens, La Croix International)
Pope says marriage can only be between a man and a woman and ‘we cannot change it’ (Carol Glatz, Catholic Herald)
Vatican calls on United States, other countries, to join cluster bomb ban (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican supports “responsibility to protect” populations from war crimes, genocide (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The peculiar Benedict complex (Massimo Faggioli, La Croix International)
Vatican and Moscow are closing up as they are afraid of Europe's Islamization (Interfax-Religion)
Pope Francis ‘pleased’ with Card Parolin’s ‘constructive’ visit to Russia (Vatican Radio)
Vatican reality check: It may not be partisan, but it’s definitely political (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Parolin presses Russia to give back churches taken by the Soviets (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Putin supports recent dialogue between Vatican and Russian Orthodox church (Gary Nguyen, World Religion News)
Vatican representative hopes for broader interaction with Russian Orthodox Church (Interfax-Religion)
Putin sees humanitarian values as basis for Russia's and its Church's relations with Vatican (Interfax-Religion)
Russia’s Putin says he values ‘trusting and constructive dialogue’ with Vatican (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Putin to discuss bilateral agenda, Syria, Ukraine with Vatican secretary of state – Kremlin (Interfax-Religion)
Important diplomatic visit in Russia by Catholic official (Andrei Yashlavsky, Moskovskii Komsomolets)
Parolin in Russia: Vatican diplomacy has a key role in global debate (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican secretary of state won't discuss prospects for pope's Russia visit in Moscow - Russian Catholic official (Interfax-Religion)
Vatican secretary of state to hold talks in Russia (Interfax-Religion)
Vatican envoy: Vietnam’s government must respect religious freedom (Catholic News Service)
Russian Orthodox Church will discuss Ukraine during Vatican diplomat’s visit (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Russian church leader hopes cardinal tackles local issues during visit (Jonathan Luxmoore, Catholic News Service)
Vatican official hints at unofficial agreement with China on bishops (Catholic News Service)
Vatican calls on Venezuela to suspend constitutional assembly (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican’s strong Venezuela stand gives backing to bishops (Father Raymond J. de Souza, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Maduro snubs Vatican's call for suspension of Venezuela's Constituent Assembly (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Chinese state media highlights Vatican official at organ trafficking conference in Beijing (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican justice branch sets anti-corruption goals for 2018 (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Russia, West must put peace before partisan interests – Cardinal Parolin (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
What the Holy See told the UN about Middle East Christians (Catholic News Agency)
Italy's drought is so bad they turned off the Vatican fountains (Corey Barnett, World Religion News)
Is the Catholic Church a capsizing ship? (Chris Lowney, Religion News Service)
Vatican Cardinal Pell faces Australian court on sex charges (Kristen Gelineau, Religion News Service)
Vatican: Jerusalem needs “internationally guaranteed” special status (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican official to UN: Migrants must be treated as human beings (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Catholic transgender woman's life was celebrated Sunday at her diverse church (Elisa Meyer, World Religion News)
Callista Gingrich may have a built-in advantage to her new role as Vatican ambassador (Christopher Lamb, Religion News Service)
Vatican’s top diplomat condems attack against Venezuelan cardinal (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Copyrighting the Church: From the Vatican to the Missionaries of Charity (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican trial dawns for alleged misuse of hospital donations (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
In Ukraine, Vatican cardinal says there’s hope for the future (Catholic News Agency)
Vatican-approved article criticizes conservative Catholic support of U.S. evangelical political agenda (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican indicts two ex-officials of children’s hospital for financial crimes (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Gluten and Communion: What's a celiac to do? (Mary Rezac, Catholic News Agency)
Protestant churches embrace gluten-free bread for Communion as Vatican reaffirms ban (Lauren Markoe, Religion News Service)
Gluten-free bread for Holy Communion is toast, says Vatican (The Guardian)
Vatican, al-Azhar focus on papal trip speeches in latest meeting (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican, al-Azhar focus on papal trip speeches in latest meeting (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Top theologian is out in Pope Francis' move to be more inclusive (Kelly Frazier, World Religion News)
Vatican acknowledges past problems at ‘pope’s hospital’ (Nicole Winfield, Religion News Service)
Vatican acknowledges past problems at 'pope's hospital' (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Cardinal to defend himself against sexual abuse charges in Australia (Steve Inskeep, NPR)
Pope Francis shakes up Vatican: replaces conservative doctrinal chief Cardinal Mueller (Reuters, Christian Today)
Pope replaces top rival in latest move to make church more inclusive (Reuters, The Guardian)
Cardinal George Pell takes a leave of absence after sex assault charges (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Pope Francis may be about to dismiss Vatican’s doctrinal chief (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Vatican's Cardinal George Pell charged with historical sex offences in Australia (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Australian police charge Vatican treasurer over historical sexual assaults (Tom Westbrook and Byron Kaye, Religion News Service)
Vatican calls on China to let bishop exercise his ministry (Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service)
China: Vatican gravely concerned for bishop 'forcibly removed' from diocese (The Guardian)
Vatican defends appointment of philosopher who once voiced support for limited abortion (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Vatican’s first auditor-general resigns unexpectedly (Philip Pullella, Religion News Service)
Mental health has a spiritual element, Holy See reminds UN (Catholic News Agency)
Vatican group meets to discuss situation of migrants around the world (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
As Venezuela crisis spirals, Vatican affirms elections are lone solution (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Philosopher who supports legal abortion joins Vatican pro-life academy (Catholic News Agency)
Pope Francis shakes up Vatican bioethics board (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Vatican: Failure to protect child migrants an insult to human dignity (Junno Arocho Esteves, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
This Vatican adviser is moving Catholics toward LGBT inclusion (Jonathan Merritt, RNS Column: On Faith and Culture)
Vatican should help build bridges between Israel and its neighbors (Father Raymond J. de Souza, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope Francis receives electric car as part of effort to create “carbon free” Vatican (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Canadian premier Trudeau meets Pope Francis at the Vatican (Claire Giangravè, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
A Vatican meeting, and a clash of moral visions (Matthew Sitman, Bloomberg)
Pope and Trump focused on life, religious freedom and conscience, Vatican says (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Ukrainian ambassador summoned to Vatican regarding Rada's intention to pass bills on status of church organizations (Interfax-Religion)
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denies that ambassador summoned to Vatican regarding church bills (Interfax-Religion)
Conflicting reports about Vatican action regarding Ukraine (RIA Novosti, Russia Religion News)
Francis and Trump: Latest in tumultuous Vatican-U.S. relationship (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Trump trip to Middle East, Vatican offers religious opportunities and pitfalls (Michelle Chabin, Religion News Services)
Australian police closer to deciding Vatican abuse charges (Associated Press, ABC News)
Callista Gingrich set to be named ambassador to the Vatican (Jeff Zeleny and Caroline Kenny, CNN)
Trump to meet Pope Francis at Vatican (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Vatican, Myanmar officially establish diplomatic ties (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican group talks new ways to help poor, marginalized (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
Vatican: Nuclear weapons give “false sense of security” (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican Academy head says UN should push “global social change” (Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Is Pope Francis' Egypt visit new beginning for Vatican-Azhar ties? (Ayah Aman, translated by Pascale el-Khoury, Al Monitor: Egypt Pulse)
Vatican asks Buddhists and Catholics to work together for global peace (Elisa Meyer, World Religion News)
It’s time for Francis and the Vatican to get tough on Venezuela (Father Raymond J. de Souza, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope Francis among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people (Catholic News Agency)
‘Wall-to-wall men’ at the Vatican’s Holy Thursday service (Letters, The Guardian)
As Benedict turns 90, a rare glimpse into his joy-filled life (Elise Harris and Martin Rothweiler, Catholic News Agency)
Top Vatican and US church officials back new gay-friendly book (David Gibson, Religion News Service)
Pope’s sex abuse panel to carry on its work without victims — for now (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Vatican abuse prevention event 'extremely important' for Church (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Agency)
US cardinal: Pope committed to ending ‘scourge of sex abuse’ despite setbacks (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Azhar-Vatican ties witness major breakthrough after long hiatus (Amira Sayed Ahmed, Al Monitor: Egypt Pulse)
The Vatican send its social media guru to SXSW festival (Michel Martin, NPR)
Health care for all isn't optional, Vatican tells UN (Catholic News Agency)
Myanmar approves diplomatic ties with Vatican (UCA News)
Pope may be backsliding on paedophile crackdown, Catholic official says (Australian Associated Press, The Guardian)
U.S.-Vatican ties won’t change with Trump, diplomat says (Keanine Griggs, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope Francis: married men could be ordained to ease priest shortages (The Guardian)
Venezuela’s opposition leader asks: Where is the Vatican? (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
At the Vatican, Sister Simone Campbell blasts ‘male power’ (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Pope Francis signals openness to ordaining married men (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican & Rome's Jewish community team up for first art exhibit together (Alison Lesley, World Religion News)
Civil war in the Vatican as conservatives battle Francis for the soul of Catholicism (Catherine Pepinster, The Guardian)
The Vatican and Peacebuilding: Exploring the Church's Role in Conflict Resolution (Berkley Forum, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Worldly power or Vicar of the Prince of Peace? (Responding to: The Vatican: A religious body or holy mediator?) (Mary Doak, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Global conceptions, international interactions: the Holy See in world politics (Responding to: The Vatican: A religious body or holy mediator?) (Jodok Troy, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Lone survivor on Vatican abuse commission resigns in frustration (Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter)
Survivor quits Pope's panel on sex abuse, citing 'shameful' resistance (Camila Domonoske, National Public Radio)
Survivor resigns in protest from pontifical commission on protecting minors (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Digital photo project to show Sistine Chapel in unprecedented detail (The Guardian)
Vatican biologists say half of all species could be extinct by end of century (Robin McKie, The Guardian)
U.S. senator sees Vatican as partner in fight against modern-day slavery (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican to crack down on illegal sale of papal symbols, coat of arms (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Cardinal who stopped 1978 war reflects tireless Vatican diplomacy (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope Francis: better to be an atheist than a hypocritical Catholic (Associated Press in Vatican City, The GU)
Vatican, Al-Azhar team up to counter religious justification for violence (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The Vatican: A religious body or holy mediator? (Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
The Pope’s divisions (Responding to: The Vatican: A religious body or holy mediator?) (Robert J. Joustra, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Vatican, Rome’s Jews putting on first-ever joint museum show (Associated Press, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican's top legal aide says divorced-and-remarried may receive Communion (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
Hong Kong cardinal: Consensus on bishops helps solve other issues in China (Barb Fraze, Catholic News Service, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican unveils updated healthcare charter as new ethical questions arise (Elise Harris, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican bars Sodalit founder from contact with members (Catholic News Agency)
Vatican unveils updated healthcare charter as new ethical questions arise (Elise Harris, Catholic News Agency)
How the Catholic church can reduce deaths in the Philippine anti-drug war (Ralph Jennings, Forbes)
Vatican’s UN nuncio urges action on poverty beyond economics (Catholic News Service, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Vatican defends decision to invite China to organ-trafficking summit (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Steve Bannon carries battles to another influential hub: The Vatican (Jason Horowitz, The New York Times)
Japanese Christian warlord Takayama Ukon beatified (Kyodo, Japan Times)
Vatican debated whether to invite China to organ meeting (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press- The Big Story)
Vatican official says despite pain of war, Christians in Aleppo remain hopeful (Inés San Martín, Crux)
Ten centuries later, a Pope and knights do battle (Jason Horowitz, The New York Times)
Vatican sends team to Aleppo in support of those suffering from the war (Hannah Brockhaus, Catholic News Live)
Vatican wants young people to help with next synod (Gary Nguyen, World Religion News)
The Pope says yes to Palestine: embassy opens in Vatican (Informed Comment)
Catholic bishops asked to study how Church responds to youth in crisis (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Vatican insists it does have the authority to investigate Order of Malta (Christopher Lamb, The Tablet: The International Catholic News Weekly)
Knights of Malta refuse to cooperate with papal investigation of the order (La Stampa)
Oppression of religion is not a solution- Cardinal Erdo (Vatican Radio)
Vatican debunks fake pope quotes on Christian/Muslim merger (Associated Press, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope in Christmas speech blasts Vatican resistance to reform (Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
Francis creates Vatican commission to investigate Knights of Malta (Joshua McElwee, Vatican Insider)
China intends to work with the Vatican to “promote constructive dialogue” (Iacopo Scaramuzzi, Vatican Insider)
Chinese cardinal says Vatican must stand up to Beijing (Pak Yiu and Lisa Jucca, Reuters)
Vatican reaffirms ban on gay priests (Michael O'Loughlin, American Magazine)
Pope warns media over 'sin' of spreading fake news, smearing politicians (Philip Pullella, Reuters)
Vatican approves first-ever women’s association (Vatican Radio)
Chained Venezuelans at Vatican plead for end to their country’s nightmare (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Will the Catholic Church split over marriage? (Mark Silk, RNS Blog: Spiritual Politics)
Vatican-sponsored workshop tackles new ways to fight drug abuse (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Patriarch Kirill ready to work with Vatican on peace in Syria (Interfax-Religion)
Vietnam likely the model for deal between China and Vatican (Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency)
Saint Lonelyhearts (Michael J. Lichens, The University of Chicago Divinity School: Sightings)
Vatican close to agreement with China on appointment of bishops (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican advances financial clean-up with Italian tax deal (Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service)
Church music, Vatican II and the Council of Trent (Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
New UN Secretary General could become key papal ally (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
In Georgia, Pope backs ‘sovereign rights’ but avoids naming Russia (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The trials and tribulations of the Vatican’s finance chief (Francis X. Rocca, Wall Street Journal)
Pope meets Congo’s Kabila, but Vatican displeasure evident (Associated Press, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope’s anti-sex abuse panel scores victory in Vatican (Nicole Winfield, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope backs Colombia peace but declines role in new truth commission (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Top Vatican diplomat says ‘time, patience’ needed in talks with China (Inés San Martín, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Pope Francis invites Syrian refugees to lunch in Vatican (Josephine McKenna, Religion News Service)
Pope Francis calls continuing violence in Syria ‘unacceptable’ (Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
What Vatican Holocaust secrets? – OpEd (William Donohue, Eurasia Review)
Vatican ratchets up defense of pope’s family document (Associated Press)
Pope picks U.S. consultant Kim Daniels for communications body (Carol Glatz, CatholicPhilly.com)
Pope Francis appoints Greg Burke as Vatican spokesman and Paloma García Ovejero as deputy director (Gerard O'Connell, America, The National Catholic Review)
Pope Francis names first American and first woman as his No. 1 and No. 2 spokespeople (Michelle Boorstein, The Washington Post)
Pope’s trip to Georgia, Azerbaijan to feature politics and outreach (Associated Press)
Victims "very skeptical" of new Vatican abuse policy (Press Release, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
Bishops face sack for mishandling abuse under papal plans (BBC News)
Pope issues motu proprio on removal of Bishops (Vatican Radio)
Pope issues Apostolic letter on procedure for removal of Bishops in abuse cases (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Top Muslim cleric and Pope embrace in historic Vatican meeting (Middle East Eye)
Whether the Catholic church will ordain women (B.C., The Economist explains)
Vatican Secretary of State to travel to Ukraine next month to express the Holy Father’s solidarity (Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Upon receiving Charlemagne Prize, Pontiff speaks of his dream for Europe (Zenit: The World Seen from Rome)
Vatican unexpectedly suspends independent financial audit (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Don't let terrorists demolish Middle East Christian-Muslim co-existence, Vatican envoy pleads (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Ex-Vatican PR consultant loves Trump even if Pope Francis doesn’t (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Syrian refugees sheltered by Pope Francis describe ‘miracle’ journey (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Bernie Sanders: No photo with Pope Francis, but more than a souvenir (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Pope Francis names new Vatican ambassador to US (David Gibson, Religion News Service)
Bernie Sanders praises Pope Francis ahead of Vatican visit (Katie Reilly, Time)
Bernie Sanders accepts invitation to conference in Vatican on social justice and the environment (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Pope terms massacre of the Sisters of Mother Teresa, senseless and diabolical act (Cardinal Pietro Parolin, AsiaNews.it)
Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano praises Spotlight as 'courageous' and 'not anti-Catholic ' (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Catholicism and Russian Orthodoxy: From the New World, a pope and a patriarch address old-world fights (ERASMUS, The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Silence on sex abuse? Nope, 'The Vatican' didn't tell that to its bishops (Jim Davis, Get Religion (blog))
Catholic bishops not obliged to report clerical child abuse, Vatican says (Stephanie Kirchgaessner, The Guardian)
Pontifical Commission on minors concludes plenary (Vatican News)
Vatican sends mixed messages on protection of abuse victims (Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Victim critical of pope on abuse asked to leave Vatican commission (Inés San Martín, Crux: Covering all things Catholic)
The bond between the Vatican and Iran is a partnership destined to endure (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Covering all things Catholic)
Activists contest Vatican over gay rights before key Italian vote (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Vatican urges World Trade Organization to remember the poor (Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
Vatican says Catholics should not try to convert Jews, should fight anti-semitism (Philip Pullella, Reuters)
Pope opens the church's Holy Doors before 50,000 people in the Vatican (Delia Gallagher, CNN)
Vatican says international humanitarian law 'increasingly ignored' (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
50 years ago today: The Declaration on Religious Freedom (Rick Garnett, Profs Blawg)
Defending freedom of religion: Statement of the Holy See at the OSCE Ministerial Council (L'Osservatore Romano)
Journalist in leaks case denounces Vatican law, says it infringes on freedom of expression (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
What comes after the Synod? (Janet E. Smith, First Things)
Global response to Laudato si’ (Martin Maier SJ JESC, Europeinfos: Christian perspecitves on the EU)
Catholicism and the family: Pope Francis can embrace contradictions—unlike most of his bishops (ERASMUS, The Economist [Erasmus: Religion and public policy])
Defrocked priest decries Vatican treatment of gays (Al Jazeera America)
Pope closes historic meeting of bishops appealing for mercy (Associated Press, CBS News)
Pope Francis addresses Synod of Bishops at conclusion (Vatican Radio)
Debate on whether Pope Francis suffered defeat swirls after family synod (Peter Kenny, Ecumenical News)
Catholic paper on family is hailed on all sides, raising fears of disputes (Elisabetta Povoledo, The New York Times)
The ‘Blogging Bishop of Brisbane’ dishes on the real story of Vatican synod (David Gibson, Religion News Service)
Long-term mercy vs short-term mercy: Australian cardinal answers questions about the Synod on the family (Cardinal George Pell, Mercator Net)
Breaking down the decentralization debate at the 2015 Synod of Bishops (John L. Allen Jr., Crux: Covering all things Catholic)
African bishops play a major role, for first time, at contentious Vatican summit (David Gibson, Religion News Service)
Catholic bishops debating family issues still split on divorcees, gays (Philip Pullella, Reuters)
The plot to change Catholicism (Ross Douthat, Op-Ed Columnist, The New York Times Sunday Review)
Pope says Church needs more decentralization, changes to papacy (Philip Pullella, Reuters)
Pope to make first Africa trip in November amid security concerns (Philip Pullella, Reuters)
African archbishop: We’re not blocking progress in the church (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Church should shun derogatory words on gays, Vatican synod told (Philip Pullella, Reuters)
Vatican fires senior priest who declares homosexuality on eve of synod (Al Jazeera America)
Holy See, unholy mob: Church continues anti-Mafia crusade (Hashem Said, Al Jazeera America)
Pope Francis reforms Church law in marital nullity trials (Vatican Radio)
Vatican says transgender man cannot be a godparent (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)
Pope Francis asks priests to forgive the sin of abortion (Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service)