FAITH/STORIES

The Shroud of Turin is displayed during a preview for journalists at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, April 18. A public exposition of the shroud, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus, runs from April 19 through June 24, 2015.

Turin expecting millions of pilgrims for shroud exposition

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TURIN, Italy - A thin white cloth draped over the glass-covered Shroud of Turin was pulled down and billowed to the floor, marking the official opening of the venerated icon’s exposition to the public.

French media are reporting that France’s potential ambassador to the Vatican, Laurent Stefanini, was rejected because he was homosexual. The French government is waiting on a response from the Vatican on whether Stefanini is accepted or rejected.

French media report ambassador to Vatican rejected because he is gay

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VATICAN CITY - Despite media reports that Pope Francis refused the candidate France proposed as its next ambassador to the Holy See — speculating that it is due to the fact Laurent Stefanini is homosexual — the French government has yet to receive an official response from the Vatican, said a spokesperson for the French government.

An Italian police bomb disposal vehicle is parked outside the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican in Rome Dec. 29, 2010.

Italians arrest suspected terrorists; Vatican says no current threat

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VATICAN CITY - Italian police arrested at least nine people in what officials described as a terrorist cell that had planned, in 2010, to strike at the Vatican with a suicide bomber.

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Mo., who was convicted in 2012 on one misdemeanor count of failing to report suspected child abuse. Bishop Finn is pictured in a 2014 photo at the Vatican.

Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Finn

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri, who was convicted in 2012 on one misdemeanour count of failing to report suspected child abuse.

St. John Paul II greets Rabbi Elio Toaff in 1986 at Romeís main synagogue. Rabbi Toaff, who served as Rome's chief rabbi from 1951 to 2000, died April 19 at age 99.

Rome rabbi credited with fostering Jewish-Catholic relations dies

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VATICAN CITY - Rome's retired chief rabbi, who played a key role in fostering closer ties between Jews and Catholics, died April 19 at the age of 99.

Migrants arrive at Zefyros beach near the coast of the southeastern island of Rhodes, Greece, April 20. At least three people drowned the day after Pope Francis appealed for the international community to do more to prevent such migrant deaths.

Pope urges prayers, action on behalf of migrants, unemployed, poor

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VATICAN CITY - The poor, migrants in search of a better life and the unemployed want what all human beings want: life, dignity and a chance to earn a decent living, Pope Francis said in several speeches urging compassion and assistance by both governments and individuals.

Jesuit Father Michael Lapierre will turn 100 May 2, and is taking it all in stride.

Jesuit centenarian knew what he wanted in life

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When you are about to turn 100 there’s a tendency for people to fuss over you and ask silly questions.

When people began asking 99.9-year-old Fr. Michael Lapierre what it felt like to turn 100, he told them “I don’t have a choice.” On May 2, Canada’s oldest Jesuit will take his 100th birthday in stride.

Pope Francis meets with representatives of the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious in his library in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican April 16. The same day the Vatican announced the conclusion of a seven-year process of investigation and di alogue with the group to ensure fidelity to church teachings. The outcome resulted in revised statues approved by the Vatican.

Vatican, LCWR announce successful conclusion of process to reform group

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VATICAN CITY - The Vatican approved new statutes and bylaws for the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious, ending a seven-year process of investigating the group and engaging in dialogue with its officers to ensure greater harmony with church teaching.

Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, asked the Pope and the Council of Cardinals to “take on the subject of accountability and responsibility” when it comes to those in leadership who fail to comply with child protection norms, says a Vatican spokesperson.

Pope, cardinal advisors discuss bishops' accountability in abuse cases

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VATICAN CITY - The question of accountability for bishops and religious superiors who fail to follow through on protecting minors from abuse was "put on the table" during the latest meeting between Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals, said the Vatican spokesman.

Pope Francis greets family members during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 15.

War of the sexes: Gender theory is the problem, not solution, Pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Eradicating male and female identities does nothing to solve the problem of unfair or disrespectful treatment based on people's gender, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican is expected to host a major conference on climate change ahead of Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on the environment on April 28.

Pope Francis uses weight of his office to tackle climate change

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The Vatican is set to host a major conference on climate change this month that will feature leading researchers on global warming and an opening address by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

In a message delivered at the Summit of the Americas, Pope Francis said he hoped the leaders would guarantee the rights of the poor to the “basic needs” of land, shelter, jobs, health care, education and security.

Do more to help the poor, Pope tells leaders at Summit of the Americas

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VATICAN CITY - With an obligation to lead and protect everyone in their nations, government officials cannot be content "to hope that the poor collect the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich," Pope Francis said in a message to the Summit of the Americas.

Pope Francis presents a document officially proclaiming the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy to a cardinal in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 11. The pope handed copies of the document to the archpriests of the major basilicas of Rome and to Vatican officials representing Catholics around the world.

Pope says Year of Mercy will be time to heal, to help, to forgive

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VATICAN CITY - Mercy is at the heart of the Church's credibility and the Church has a duty to profess it and live it, Pope Francis said in a document that officially proclaims the 2015-2016 extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

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