Christopher White

Noted Czech theologian Fr. Tomas Halik helped lead a Vatican gathering for some 200 parish priests about the ongoing synod process. He told NCR he was encouraged by the open and frank discussions that took place.

 Pope Francis has now established 10 working groups to study some of the most controversial issues that have emerged in the Synod of Bishops. Theologians say it is difficult to assess what their impact might be.

Pope Francis has written to a group of parents of LGBTQ persons, responding to their criticism of a Vatican document that condemned gender theory and gender-affirming surgeries. He told them he received their critique with an "open heart."

Two new major studies on clergy sexual abuse reveal the Catholic Church's efforts toward safeguarding and child protection are being met with mixed results.

Listen: In this episode of The Vatican Briefing, a leading Catholic bishop on the U.S.-Mexico border expresses "grave concern" that the 2024 presidential race could lead to further demonization of migrants seeking to enter the country.

In the 1960s, the Catholic cardinal of Los Angeles labeled the art of Corita Kent as blasphemous. But on Sunday, April 28, it will be given the spotlight by Pope Francis in a Vatican-organized exhibition.

Theologian Anna Rowlands, a key synod adviser, says Pope Francis is more interested in deepening the practice of synodality within the Catholic Church rather than wading into debates over the hot-button issues.

Listen: In The Vatican Briefing, Joshua McElwee and Christopher White discuss the Vatican's document Dignitas Infinita. And they speak with a Vatican journalist about his book-length interview with Pope Francis. 

Pope Francis will embark on an ambitious 12-day trip across Asia-Pacific and Oceania in September, the Vatican announced on April 12.

When Bishop Thomas Gumbleton died on April 4 at 94, he was the most senior member of the U.S. Catholic hierarchy. Among those who had recently sent him birthday greetings: Pope Francis. 

Sex change operations, gender theory and surrogate motherhood pose grave threats to human dignity — as does the criminalization of homosexuality — according to a major new Vatican document.

Pope Francis used his Easter message to reiterate his ongoing appeal for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages as war continues to rage in the Holy Land.

A recent daylong gathering at Georgetown University sought to help U.S. church leaders understand that synodality "doesn't start at the Vatican but grows from the ground up."

In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," a prominent U.S. Ukrainian Catholic leader sharply criticizes Pope Francis' recent suggestion that Ukraine might enter negotiations to end the war with Russia.  

Pope Francis on March 15 appointed new leadership to his papal commission on clergy sexual abuse, months after reports about the outgoing secretary's previous financial dealings raised questions about his suitability to lead the group.

In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy says the U.S. bishops are not giving enough attention to Pope Francis' call for the world to address global climate change.

An unidentified Catholic cardinal has authored a scathing memo, saying Pope Francis has sown "confusion" in the church and arguing that the next conclave should elect a very different kind of pontiff.

Eighty bishops, theologians and other Catholic leaders gathered Feb. 22-23 to reckon with what was described as the failure of the U.S. church to implement the pope's environmental teachings. 

In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," BishopAccountability.org co-director Anne Barrett Doyle offers a blunt assessment of Pope Francis' efforts to confront clergy sexual abuse.

An Anglican woman bishop who addressed Pope Francis and his council of cardinal advisers told NCR she believes the pontiff took a "risk" in extending her an invitation to speak to the group.