FAITH/STORIES

US Navy F-18E Super Hornets make a formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over northern Iraq Sept. 23. These aircraft were part of a large coalition strike package that was the first to strike Islamic State targets in Syria.

Vatican summit says extremists must be stopped with sanctioned force

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VATICAN CITY - Extremist groups in the Middle East, including the "Islamic State," must be stopped with sanctioned military force and through dialogue, said a Vatican statement.

Bishops arrive in procession for a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis to open the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Oct. 5.

Opening family synod, Pope warns bishops of hypocrisy, pride and greed

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VATICAN CITY - Opening a two-week Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis warned participants against the temptations of hypocrisy, pride and greed, urging them instead to serve the church with "freedom, creativity and hard work."

People attend an Oct. 4 prayer vigil led by Pope Francis for the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The pope called for "sincere, open and fraternal" debate during the two-week long synod, which opened Oct. 5.

On eve of family synod, Pope prays for "open and fraternal" debate

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VATICAN CITY - Hours before opening a Synod of Bishops whose members have already started a public debate over Catholic teaching on marriage and sexuality, Pope Francis prayed the bishops would express themselves and listen to each other openly, trusting in God to reconcile their differences.

German Cardinal Walter Kasper, pictured in a Feb. 21 file photo, is a proponent of changing church law to allow divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion.

Cardinal Kasper: Pope wants bishops to decide on Communion proposal

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VATICAN CITY - The author of a controversial proposal to make it easier for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion says he believes Pope Francis backs the measure but would not apply it without support from bishops at two upcoming synods on the family.

Italian Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri

Cardinal says synod will have open discussion, even on sensitive topics

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VATICAN CITY - The "freedom of expression" that characterized preparations for the Synod of Bishops on the family -- especially in responses to a Vatican questionnaire -- "will also characterize the synod assembly, which certainly will take place in a climate of respect for every position, mutual charity and an authentic sense of constructiveness," said the head of the synod.

Cardinal Walter Kasper and Cardinal Raymond Burke

Pope Francis wanted open debate. With clashing cardinals, he’s got it

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Leading up to a Vatican summit on family life that Pope Francis opens on Sunday (Oct. 5), high-ranking churchmen have fiercely debated church teaching — and criticized each other — in sharp exchanges that offer a ringside seat to the kind of battles that Rome used to keep under wraps.

Displaced people fleeing violence in Iraq walk toward the Syrian border town of Elierbeh in this Aug.11 file photo. Pope Francis opened a three-day summit Oct. 2 on the violence and persecution underway in the Middle East, saying arms trafficking was the root cause of many problems in the region.

Pope: Life means nothing to terrorists, arms trade root of Mideast woes

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis opened a three-day summit on the violence and persecution underway in the Middle East, saying arms trafficking was the root cause of many problems in the region.

Pope launches alarm, tells Vatican security force to be 'gossip police'

Pope launches alarm, tells Vatican security force to be 'gossip police'

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VATICAN CITY - The biggest threat facing the Vatican isn't a bomb or bullet from the outside, but the insidious work of mischief-makers within, who plant discord and resentment, Pope Francis told the Vatican's security force.

Pope chooses 'family' as theme for World Communications Day 2015

Pope chooses 'family' as theme for World Communications Day 2015

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VATICAN CITY - As the family gets special focus in two upcoming synods and an international gathering in Philadelphia next year, Pope Francis is highlighting the beauty and value of the family in his message for World Communications Day.

Pope Francis greets people during an encounter with the elderly in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Sept. 28.

Pope: Greed, throwaway culture fuel 'hidden euthanasia' of elderly

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis warned against the abandonment and neglect of the elderly, calling it a "hidden euthanasia" rooted in today's "poisonous" culture of disposal and an economic system of greed.

Pope Francis: Albania proves to world that diverse religions can live in peace

Pope Francis: Albania proves to world that diverse religions can live in peace

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VATICAN CITY - People of different religious beliefs can and must live together in peace, Pope Francis said.

Send prayers, aid to those hit by Ebola, Pope Francis says

Send prayers, aid to those hit by Ebola, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for prayers and concrete help for the thousands of people affected by the deadly Ebola virus.

Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, former nuncio to the Dominican Republic, is pictured celebrating Mass in Santo Domingo in 2009. The Vatican has placed a laicized papal ambassador under house arrest as he awaits a criminal trial for sexually abusing young boys.

Vatican puts former nuncio accused of sex abuse under house arrest

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VATICAN CITY - The Vatican has placed a laicized papal ambassador under house arrest as he awaits a criminal trial for sexually abusing young boys.

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