Vatican

Abuse victims' outcry more powerful than efforts to silence them, pope says

"No effort must be spared" to prevent future cases of clerical sexual abuse and "to prevent the possibility of their being covered up," Pope Francis said in a letter addressed "to the people of God." "I acknowledge once more the suffering endured by many minors due to sexual abuse, the abuse of power and the abuse of conscience perpetrated by a significant number of clerics and consecrated persons," the pope wrote in the letter dated and released Aug. 20.

Vatican calls for accountability for abusers, those who protected them

In the wake of a grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse in six dioceses in Pennsylvania, a Vatican spokesman called the abuses described in the report as being "criminal and morally reprehensible."

Vatican abuse expert: Crisis is call to new vision of priesthood, accountability

A Jesuit priest who has been on the frontline of advocating for survivors of clerical sexual abuse and developing detailed programs to prevent abuse said the crisis unfolding, again, in the United States is a summons to a new way of envisioning the church and taking responsibility for it.

Pope codifies change on death-penalty teaching, prepares for Ireland visit

Pope Francis’ revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church declaring the death penalty “inadmissible” in all circumstances, announced Aug. 2, should not have come as a huge surprise.

Pope revises catechism, says death penalty is 'inadmissible'

Building on the development of Catholic Church teaching against capital punishment, Pope Francis has ordered a revision of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to assert "the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person" and to commit the church to working toward its abolition worldwide.

Pope accepts Cardinal McCarrick's resignation from College of Cardinals

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from the College of Cardinals of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, retired archbishop of Washington, and has ordered him to maintain "a life of prayer and penance" until a canonical trial examines accusations that he sexually abused minors.

Amid rising number of deaths at sea, Pope Francis calls for respect for migrants

With the rising death toll of migrants and refugees attempting the treacherous voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, Pope Francis urged world leaders to act to prevent further tragedy.

State of Earth tomorrow depends on action today, pope tells activists

While everyone has a role and responsibility to help safeguard the planet, all governments must uphold commitments agreed upon in the Paris Accord on reducing climate change, Pope Francis said.

Church has long history of supporting science

When friends and colleagues find out I work with the Vatican Observatory, their first reaction is often surprise that the Catholic Church supports a scientific research institute, particularly one that studies astronomy. After all, the Catholic Church put Galileo on trial for heresy.

Vatican readies October synod on young people, faith, vocations

The working document for a gathering of the world’s bishops focused on young people, the faith and vocational discernment has been published, and it underscores the direction that Pope Francis wants to take the church.
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