Via John Allen: Pope Francis today named Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley of Boston and seven other figures with reputations as reformers to guide a new Vatican anti-abuse commission, a move intended to demonstrate resolve about confronting the child sexual abuse scandals that have rocked Catholicism… The lineup for the new “Pontifical Commission for the Protection… Read More Pope Francis Creates Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors

Exciting and somewhat surprising news came from Rome this morning. It was announced by the Vatican Press Office that Pope Francis–who is on retreat with his collaborators in the Roma Curia–will be visiting South Korea from August 14-18 this year to take part in an Asian youth gathering. The pope  just gave the red hat… Read More Pope Francis to visit South Korea in August

Pope Francis has granted another interview, this time with the Italian Daily Corriere della sera. As of 5:45 AM, no English translation of the interview is available. The Wall Street Journal has the most comprehensive summary as of now. Most notable among the Pope’s comments is his suggestion that women should have a greater pastoral… Read More Pope Francis: Women should have greater role in the Church

John Allen of National Catholic Reporter is reporting that Pope Francis is likely to visit the United States in September 2015. The primary motive for the trip would be the eighth edition of the World Meeting of Families, an event held every three years that was launched under Pope John Paul II in 1994 and… Read More Reports: Pope Francis will visit the US in 2015

Via Vatican Insider: In a new move aimed at reforming the clergy and eliminating careerism in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has abolished the conferral of the Pontifical Honor of ‘Monsignor’ on secular priests under the age of 65. Henceforth, the only Pontifical Honor that will be conferred on ‘secular priests’  will be that of… Read More Pope Francis Abolishes the Title ‘Monsignor’ for Those Under 65