Pope helps homeless, poor in Rome make pilgrimage to Shroud of Turin

VATICAN CITY - With financial assistance from Pope Francis, a Rome parish led 50 homeless and poor people on a pilgrimage to see the Shroud of Turin June 4 and has provided the money needed for another Rome parish to do the same a week later.

More Catholics, fewer receiving sacraments: New report maps changing Church

A new report mapping the Catholic Church’s more than 1.2 billion souls — on track to reach 1.64 billion by 2050 — holds some surprises.

And not all bode well for the Church’s future as it faces major demographic and social shifts.

Vatican defends Australian cardinal against charges he disregarded pedophile priests

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican threw its support behind its financial chief, Cardinal George Pell, on Monday (June 1), after he was accused of being “almost sociopathic” in his handling of clergy sex abuse by a leading member of a papal commission dedicated to tackling the issue.

Pope Francis lists abortion, unsafe workplaces among 'attacks on life'

VATICAN CITY - Abortion, abandoning migrants at sea, unsafe working conditions, malnutrition, terrorism and euthanasia are all "attacks on life," said Pope Francis.

Finance watchdog agency praises Vatican bank reporting system

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican's financial watchdog agency conducted its first routine on-site inspection of the Vatican bank to verify its compliance with regulations to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Vatican looks to reform its media operations, add multimedia

The Vatican is dragging its media machine into the 21st century, promising to promote social media and streamline its fragmented services with the help of a former BBC executive.

Papal visits have brought hope to divided Bosnia, cardinal says

VATICAN CITY - A papal visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina brings hope, joy and some "soul" to this ethnically divided, Catholic-minority Balkan nation, the country's cardinal said.

Pope tells Franciscans to stay true to charism

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis urged Franciscan friars to hold true to their charism of fraternity, humility and poverty and not lose the respect they have earned over the centuries for living up to those ideals.

Vatican bank posts large profit, continues review of account holders

VATICAN CITY - The Institute for the Works of Religion, commonly known as the Vatican bank, showed a large jump in profits in 2014 as it continued to winnow its accounts.

Pope, in interview, talks about his daily habits, hopes, concerns

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said he wants to be remembered as "a good person who tried to do good. I cannot ask for anything more than that."

Great joy praying with Francis

VATICAN CITY - On May 8, I had the joyful privilege of meeting Pope Francis following one of his private Masses at his residence at Casa Santa Marta inside Vatican City.