NEW YORK (RNS) When asked if accepting civil unions would make him “uncomfortable,” New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan said it would because it could “water down” the traditional religious view of marriage.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Church leaders welcome the reforms and fresh air that Pope Francis is bringing to an often dysfunctional institution. But at 77, they just want him to have the stamina to keep it up.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) When Pope Benedict XVI officially left the Vatican in a helicopter a year ago this week (Feb. 28), becoming the first pontiff in 600 years to resign, many in his conservative fan base were aghast, even angry. He has betrayed us, said those who thought Benedict’s papacy would be the final triumph […]

“You are not a royal court,” the pontiff tells more than 100 scarlet-clad “princes of the church” arrayed before him in St. Peter’s Basilica.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Anticipation is mounting for a series of closed-door discussions on Thursday and Friday, when the cardinals will hold what are expected to be frank talks about issues such as contraception, cohabitation, gay marriage and whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive Communion.

Broadway marquees went dark for a minute Wednesday night in honor of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died this week at 46, apparently of a heroin overdose.