Josephine McKenna

In the latest sign of Francis’ concern for the poor, the pope’s almoner — the Vatican official in charge of distributing alms — is treating homeless people in Rome to a trip to the beach and to a pizza dinner on the way back home.

Pope Francis on Thursday (Jan. 15) condemned last week’s terrorist attack on the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo but warned there were limits on freedom of expression.

Pope Francis reinforced his radical reshaping of the Catholic Church by naming 20 new cardinals from countries as far afield as Ethiopia, Tonga, Thailand and Panama.

Pope Francis used his Christmas Day message to make a heartfelt plea to save the world’s children from war, persecution and abuse.

The Dalai Lama said Thursday (Dec. 11) that he would not meet Pope Francis while in Rome for a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Pope Francis used his weekly audience Wednesday (Dec. 10) to challenge media reports of “clashes between factions” at the recent bishops’ synod on family issues.

Gearing up for round two of a blockbuster Synod on the Family, the Vatican has asked bishops around the world to survey their flocks on hot-button issues such as divorce, abortion and the place of LGBT Catholics.