Inside the Vatican

The smallest independent state in the world, Vatican City draws more than six million visitors each year to one of the holiest sites in the world: St. Peter's Basilica

• Apr 16, 2017

Sex abuse survivor quits pope's commission to protect minors

In massive public blow to Pope Francis' 3-year-old commission, Marie Collins accuses senior Vatican officials of "stonewalling" and failing to protect kids

• Mar 2, 2017

Catholic Church in Rwanda apologizes for role in 1994 genocide

Many of the victims died at the hands of priests, clergymen and nuns, according to some accounts by survivors, and the Rwandan government says many died in the churches where they had sought refuge

• Nov 20, 2016

Pope warns against hostility targeting people of different races

Pope Francis speaks out during ceremony giving Roman Catholic Church new cardinals from six continents

• Nov 19, 2016

Diocese investigating priest who placed fetus at altar

Father Frank Pavone said Hillary Clinton and the Democratic platform would allow abortions to continue

• Nov 12, 2016

Catholic priest displays aborted fetus in appeal for Trump

Staunch anti-abortion Texas priest said his church was given fetus for proper burial, but he wanted to use it to make a point first

• Nov 8, 2016

Church issues dire warning to parishioners who vote for this party

California church's newsletter criticizes policies, party's presidential nominee

• Nov 4, 2016

Judge tosses suit by gay ex-employee of Catholic home

A former administrator said he was fired for his sexual orientation

• Sep 28, 2016

Polish leaders move forward on total abortion ban

They rejected proposals to liberalize the current restrictive law

• Sep 23, 2016

Archbishop's alleged sex abuse could bankrupt Guam church

Catholic Church in U.S. territory fears, with statute of limitations lifted on civil suits, accusations from 60s, 70s could lead to payouts

• Sep 23, 2016

Vatican will train new bishops on sex abuse awareness

Pope Francis created a commission on sex abuse in 2013 to help end the culture of silence

• Sep 12, 2016

Tim Kaine opens up on reconciling LGBTQ equality, religious faith

Democratic nominee for vice president said it was a struggle to balance his views on marriage with being a devout Catholic

• Sep 11, 2016

Pope taps Dallas bishop to promote life, family issues

Pontiff signals a more moderate direction for Catholics on culture war issues such as abortion, contraception, marriage and divorce

• Aug 17, 2016

Muslims attend church across France and Italy in solidarity

The rector of the Mosque of Paris, while attending mass in Notre Dame, tells worshippers that "the situation is serious"

• Jul 31, 2016

Illinois church members say they see image of Virgin Mary in tree

St. Kevin's has served Chicago-area Catholics for 135 years; now something behind the church is drawing the faithful

• Jun 8, 2016

After nearly 12 year fight, historic Catholic Church in Mass. closes

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Church is closing after more than a decade of around-the-clock vigil by parishioners who had tried to keep it open

• May 29, 2016

Pope Francis might be open to expanding women's role in ordained ministries

Superiors of women's religious order posed questions about women's roles in Catholic Church during a closed door meeting with the pope

• May 12, 2016

Pope's guide to love, sex and marriage covers surprising subjects

The 260-page document titled "The Joy of Love" shows a pragmatic pope who seems to understand the pressures of modern families

• Apr 8, 2016

Virgin Mary statue beheaded by vandals at Catholic church in Vermont

Just up the hill from the Virgin Mary statue on the Burlington church grounds, two more statues were vandalized as well

• Mar 30, 2016

Senior Vatican official admits he didn't act on pedophile claim

Australian cardinal and Pope Francis' top financial adviser says "I should have done more" when boy raised abuse allegations in the 1970s

• Mar 2, 2016

2 Pa. bishops singled out for sex abuse cover-up

Evidence from a secret diocesan archive led a grand jury to conclude central Pa. diocese had poor response to hundreds of abused children

• Mar 1, 2016

Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis asks priests to cut ties with Girl Scouts

The church says it's concerned about the Girl Scouts' positions on social issues, including abortion and same-sex marriage

• Feb 21, 2016

Pope suggests tolerance for contraception in Zika crisis

Pope Francis responds to a question about whether abortion or birth control might be a "lesser evil" during Zika outbreak

• Feb 18, 2016

Pope to Mexican clergy: Don't quit, keep fighting

In a society ruled by drug-fueled violence and corruption, the pontiff delivers a message of perseverance in the face of despair

• Feb 16, 2016

Zika-related abortion debate in Brazil intensifies

Should women who have the disease known to cause crippling birth defects be allowed to terminate their pregnancy? Near-ban in Catholic country debated

• Feb 14, 2016

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