Pope Francis

Pope Francis goes to Marseille to show solidarity with migrants, but will Europe listen amid an influx?

By Nicole Winfield, Trisha Thomas, Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press

The future, he said this past weekend about his upcoming trip to Marseille, “will only be prosperous if it is built on fraternity, putting human dignity, real people and especially the most needy, first.”…

Pope Francis praises Mongolia for centuries of religious freedom as he starts his visit

By Saruul Enkhbold Associated Press and Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis on Saturday praised Mongolia’s tradition of religious freedom dating to the times of its founder, Genghis Khan, as he opened the first-ever papal visit to the Asian nation with a word of encouragement to its tiny Catholic flock.

Pope heads to Mongolia in centuries-old diplomatic exchange

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

In some ways, he will be completing a mission begun by the 13th- century Pope Innocent IV, who dispatched a series of emissaries east with letters to ascertain the intentions of the expanding Mongol Empire.

Pope Francis denounces ‘backward’ attitudes of conservatives in U.S. Catholic Church

By Associated Press

The Pope said those conservatives have replaced faith with ideology and that a correct understanding of Catholic doctrine allows for change over time.

Pope Francis explains off-the-cuff remarks and peace prayer during Portugal trip

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis says his recovery from his latest abdominal surgery is going well.

Pope Francis cuts appearances at youth vigil, Catholic shrine short amid Portugal heat

By Nicole Winfield, Barry Hatton, Pietro Decristofaro, Associated Press

An estimated 1.5 million young people filled a field in the Portuguese capital Lisbon on Saturday for Pope Francis’ World Youth Day vigil, braving scorching heat to secure a spot for the evening prayer and to camp out overnight for…

Pope Francis meets with survivors of clergy sex abuse in Portugal

By Nicole Winfield, Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, Associated Press

After arriving in Lisbon for the Catholic Church's World Youth Day festival, Francis also blasted members of Portugal's Catholic hierarchy for their response to the country's sex abuse scandal.

Pope Francis urges Europe to settle conflicts and ignite hope while on Portugal trip

By Nicole Winfield, Helena Alves, Associated Press

Francis was spending five days in Lisbon, blending a state visit and pilgrimage to the Catholic shrine at Fatima with the raucous trappings of World Youth Day, the Catholic jamboree that aims to rally young Catholics in their faith.

Catholics call for Vatican to embrace women in leadership, LGBTQ community, report says

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

The Vatican on Tuesday released the synthesis of a two-year consultation process. It has published a working document that will form the basis of discussion for a big meeting of bishops and laypeople in October.

Pope Francis returns to Vatican routine post-surgery with St. Peter’s Square address

By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press

Two days after being discharged from the hospital, Pope Francis resumed his cherished Sunday custom of greeting the public in St. Peter’s Square, expressing thanks for the comfort he received after surgery.