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How Pope Francis’ legacy will influence the selection of the next pope 

Sacred Nation

A group of 133 Catholic cardinals from 71 different countries are convening on Wednesday for a secretive conclave that will end with the selection of a new pope. Vatican watchers are wondering whether the next pontiff will be a reform-minded modernist, like Pope Francis himself, or a conservative traditionalist, like many of Francis’ critics. Among the cardinals voting for a new pope, 80% were elevated by Francis. But that doesn’t mean they’re all like-minded.

Shadows of tourists are cast across a papal crest on the floor

Unsealed records of Pope Pius XII could shed light on Vatican’s turbulent postwar years

Conflict & Justice
President Barack Obama and First lady Michelle Obama were there in person to welcome Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland for the pontiff's first visit to the United States on September 22, 2015.

Pope Francis wants the Vatican to serve the people

Belief
A newly wed couple attends as Pope Francis leads his Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican, August 16, 2015.

Pope Francis is speeding up the process for Catholics to get an annulment

Belief
Pope Francis sits next to Hindu leader Ndu-Kurukkal SivaSri T. Mahadeva during the Interreligious Encounter in Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 13, 2015.

Pope Francis shows pugnacious side: You’d better not insult my mother

Global Politics
Pope Francis delivers a "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) message from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Christmas Day of 2014.

Pope Francis was a huge story in 2014, but a veteran Vatican reporter says the media got a lot wrong

Belief

John Allen of the Boston Globe usually sits down at the end of the year to write something about the biggest uncovered Catholic stories from the past 12 months. But the longtime Vatican correspondent says he didn’t need to this year, thanks to a news media sensation focused on Pope Francis.

The annual procession of Our Lady of Charity, the patron saint of Cuba in Havana.

How the Pope lent Washington and Havana a helping hand

Global Politics

The US and Cuba supposedly negotiated in secret for more than a year to bring about a thaw between the two countries. They weren’t the only ones, though: Pope Francis also helped the two longtime enemies conduct their back-channel diplomacy.

Nuns look on as Pope Francis arrives to lead his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on October 22, 2014.

American nuns get an unexpected olive branch from the Vatican

Belief

American nuns have come in for sharp criticism in the past from Vatican officials. But the Catholic Church’s latest report on nuns in the US offered praise instead, a welcome change at a time when American religious orders are growing older and more cash-strapped.

Pope Francis speaks outside the Castelpetroso sanctuary near Isernia in southern Italy on July 5, 2014. During the speech, he told students that environmental damage was a sin.

Why Pope Francis is ‘throwing down a gauntlet’ on environmental destruction

Lifestyle & Belief

Pope Francis has already called attention to poverty and inequality, and he’s now calling Catholics to pay more notice to the environment. In doing so, he could change not only policy but the way that people view sin and responsibility.Pope Francis has already called attention to poverty and inequality, and he’s now calling Catholics to pay more notice to the environment. In doing so, he could change not only policy but the way that people view sin and responsibility.

Pope Francis and President Barack Obama enjoying each other's company during their meeting Thursday in the Vatican.

Obama’s visit to the pope was about more than just politics

Lifestyle & Belief

President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday. Both sides described the meeting as cordial, and Obama professed himself a “great admirer” of the new pontiff. Despite the bonhomie, there are issues that divide the two men. President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday. Both sides described the meeting as cordial, and Obama professed himself a “great admirer” of the new pontiff. Despite the bonhomie, there are issues that divide the two men.