Pope Francis Coverage

Pope Francis, Back From the Hospital, Thanks Crowds for Their Prayers

Pope Francis, who was discharged from a three-day hospital stay on Saturday, seemed on the mend on Sunday as he addressed tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for Palm Sunday Mass, allaying concerns about his health.

Jason Horowitz and Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times

Pope Francis arrives in Canada to apologize for school abuses

Pope Francis arrived Monday at the site of a former Indigenous residential school to deliver long-awaited apology for the Catholic Church's role in Canada's policy of forcibly assimilating Native peoples into Christian society that led to generations of trauma and abuse.

Pope Francis says he's heartbroken by violence in Ukraine

Pope Francis spoke to a crowd Sunday in Vatican City about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. He urged those involved to put down their weapons and make peace.

Pope Benedict denies allegations he helped cover up sexual abuse in the church

Pope Benedict made a public request for forgiveness amid allegations he failed to take decisive action against abusers decades ago. The Pope Emeritus denied any personal wrong doing, insisting he only served as archbishop of Munich for less than five years in the late 70s and 80s.

Opting for pets over children is selfish and 'takes away our humanity,' says Pope Francis

Pope Francis has criticized couples who choose to have pets instead of children as selfish, arguing that their decision to forgo parenthood leads to a loss of "humanity" and is a detriment to civilization.

By Joshua Berlinger, CNN

Pope Francis prays for end to COVID in Christmas message

Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message Saturday in Vatican City.

Christmas Mass at the Vatican

Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Mass at the Vatican

Pope Francis refers to getting vaccinated as an 'act of love'

Francis was joined in his statement by six officials of the church who represent congregations from across the globe.

Spider-Man who visits sick kids meets the Pope

Spider-Man gave Pope Francis his very own mask of the comic book character as the two famous figures greeted each other at the end of the pontiff's weekly audience on Wednesday.

The Pope meets Spider-Man: Hero's work includes visiting hospitalized kids

Spider-Man gave Pope Francis his very own mask of the comic book character as the two famous figures greeted each other at the end of the pontiff's weekly audience on Wednesday.

Pope Francis leads Palm Sunday services

Pope Francis led Palm Sunday services Sunday in an almost empty St. Peter's Basilica because of coronavirus restrictions for the second consecutive year and said the devil is taking advantage of pandemic.

Pope calls for COVID vaccine for all

Pope Francis calls for coronavirus vaccine to be made accessible to all in Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi message.

Pope Francis appoints America's first Black cardinal, Wilton Gregory

Last year, Wilton Gregory made history as Washington, DC's first African-American archbishop.

By Kelly Murray, CNN

Teen catches attention of Pope, could be headed toward sainthood

Carlos Acutis was 15 years old when he died of leukemia in 2006. He later caught the Pope's attention when he created a website to catalog miracles.

Pope says gossip is a 'plague worse than Covid'

Pope Francis has once again condemned gossip, describing it as a "plague worse than Covid," during his Sunday prayers.

By Valentina DiDonato, CNN

Pope begins Holy Week series of services without a crowd

It is the holiest week of the year for Christians, but Pope Francis celebrated Mass in front of an empty cathedral because coronavirus fears are keeping Catholics and others at home.

Pope slaps woman's hand

Video shows the Pope slapping the hand of a woman who had grabbed him.

Pope opens meeting that could lead to some married men becoming priests

Pope Francis opened a highly contentious three-week summit Sunday that could potentially clear the way for some married men to become Catholic priests.

By Delia Gallagher and Tara John, CNN

Ex-slave who was first black priest in U.S. takes step to sainthood

Augustine Tolton was born into slavery in Missouri in 1854, escaped to freedom as a child during the chaos of the Civil War, and later became the first African-American priest in the Roman Catholic Church. This week, he took the first step toward becoming the church's first African-American saint.

Liam Stack, New York Times

Leaders of Vatican Women’s Magazine Quit, Citing ‘Climate of Distrust’

ROME — The founder and the entire editorial board have quit a Vatican women’s magazine that has drawn international attention for exposing the abuse of nuns, citing a “climate of distrust and progressive delegitimization” of their work inside the Vatican’s communications office.

Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times

In the Catholic Church’s Homeland, Clerical Abuse Is Barely a Scandal

SAVONA, Italy — On camping trips, Francesco Zanardi and other boys from his local parish always dreaded being called to sleep in their priest’s tent.

Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times

Blunt talk fills day one of summit at Vatican

Pope Francis tells the leaders of the Catholic Church he called to Rome that they must take effective action to address the sexual abuse crisis tearing at the seams of their religion.

Pope Francis gives strong rebuke, defense of church

Survivors and advocates are gathering in Rome Wednesday night, demanding transparency and changes in the way the Vatican handles abuse.

Sexual abuse of nuns: A long-standing church scandal emerges from shadows

The sexual abuse of nuns and women religious by Catholic priests and bishops -- and the abortions that have sometimes resulted -- has for years been overshadowed by other scandals in the Roman Catholic Church.

Jason Horowitz, New York Times

Most memorable videos of 2018

Popular videos on WRAL.com throughout 2018 were about Hurricane Florence and other tragedies.