Members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith -- Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, retired archbishop of Washington; Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston; and Nigerian Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, retired archbishop of Abuja -- applaud Pope Francis at the end of an audience with members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Jan. 30, 2020, at the Vatican.

Renewal of doctrine rooted in magisterium, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY -- Christian doctrine is not modified to keep up with passing times nor is it rigidly closed in on itself, Pope Francis told members and advisers of the doctrinal congregation.

Pope Francis greets Iraqi President Barham Salih at the Vatican Jan. 25, 2020. The two leaders discussed guaranteeing the safety of Christians and the need for promoting stability, reconstruction, national sovereignty and dialogue in the country.

Pope Francis meets with Iraqi president

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis met with Iraq's president for private talks underlining the need for promoting stability, reconstruction, national sovereignty and dialogue in the country as well as guaranteeing security for Christians.

Poor Clare Sisters Claudia and Mary Marguerite pose for a photo Aug. 11, 2019, outside the Monastery of St. Clare in Memphis, Tenn. The monastery closed at the end of the year.

A long, sad farewell to a monastery

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- As Christmas approached and the year came to a close, the Monastery of St. Clare, home to the Poor Clare contemplative nuns for 87 years in Tennessee, quietly closed.

Climate change activists protest during the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 21.

Put people first, Pope Francis tells leaders at Davos

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis told global business and government leaders that everyone has the moral responsibility to seek the integral development of all people, but especially those who are in need, suffering injustice or whose lives are threatened.

Pope Francis accepts a gift as he leads a meeting with a delegation from the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international Jewish human rights organization, at the Vatican Jan. 20, 2020. The pope told the group, "I will never tire of firmly condemning every form of anti-Semitism."

Pope Francis decries 'barbaric resurgence' of anti-Semitism

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis condemned the "barbaric resurgence" of anti-Semitism and criticized the selfish indifference that is creating the conditions for division, populism and hatred.

Pope Francis meets with U.S. bishops from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska during their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican Jan. 16, 2020. The bishops were making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses to the pope and Vatican officials.

Pope Francis speaks to U.S. bishops about pro-life issues, transgender ideology

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VATICAN CITY -- Protecting human life is the "preeminent" social and political issue, Pope Francis said, and he asked the head of the U.S. bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities to convey his support to the pro-life community.

Pope Francis addresses members of the Roman Curia — the administrative arm of the Church —- at the Vatican last month. The Pope has signalled there will be more changes in the Curia.

Will 2020 be turning point for women at the Vatican?

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis opened 2020 with a strong call to acknowledge the dignity of women, end violence against them and stop the exploitation of women’s bodies.

This is from the cover of "From the Depths of Our Hearts," by retired Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. In the book they defend priestly celibacy, an issue that was discussed at last year's Synod of Bishops for the Amazon.

Publisher won’t remove Benedict XVI as co-author of book on priestly celibacy

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VATICAN CITY -- Retired Pope Benedict XVI wants his name removed as co-author of a book defending priestly celibacy but the publisher insists Benedict wrote the book with Cardinal Robert Sarah.

Pope Francis holds the Book of the Gospels as he celebrates Mass on the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 1, 2020. The pope has established the third Sunday in Ordinary Time as "Sunday of the Word of God." It will be celebrated for the first time Jan. 26.

Pope Francis establishes date dedicated to Bible focus

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VATICAN CITY -- The newly established "Sunday of the Word of God" is an invitation to Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and his word, Pope Francis said.

A statue of St. Paul stands on Malta’s St. Paul Island, where it is believed the apostle was shipwrecked and shown “great kindness” by the local people.

Malta’s Christians set welcoming tone

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An island nation that is more than 90 per cent Catholic is using the story of a shipwreck to remind Christians what ecumenism is really about — kindness, welcome and the bonds of our common humanity.

Pope Francis speaks with Iran's ambassador to the Holy See, Seyed Taha Hashemi, during an audience for the traditional exchange of new year's greetings in the Sala Regia at the Vatican Jan. 9, 2020.

Amid threats of war, world must stay hopeful, Pope Francis tells diplomats

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VATICAN CITY -- Hope is the virtue needed to approach the coming year, especially when the looming threat of war surrounds a humanity scarred by violence, Pope Francis said.

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