News & Commentary

Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capella, left, a former Vatican diplomat who served in Washington, talks to his lawyer during his sentencing in a Vatican court in this June 23, 2018, file photo.

Priest convicted of distributing, possessing child pornography said to still work at Vatican

OSV News July 17, 2025

Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capella, a former Vatican diplomat who was convicted of distributing and possessing child pornography, continues to work at the Vatican Secretariat of State as one of several clerks, a report says.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the papal name Leo XIV, appears on the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 8, 2025, following his election during the conclave. He is the first American pope in history.

Chicago native Cardinal Prevost elected pope, takes name Leo XIV

Catholic News Service May 8, 2025

Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, the Chicago-born prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops under Pope Francis, was elected the 267th pope May 8 and took the name Pope Leo XIV.

Black smoke billows from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel May 8, 2025, on the second day of the conclave.

A morning of black smoke from the Sistine Chapel chimney

OSV News May 8, 2025

The 133 cardinals who entered the conclave failed to reach a two-thirds supermajority of at least 89 votes to elect a new pope during their morning session May 8.

Conclave: First ballot fails to elect pope

Catholic News Service May 7, 2025

As expected, the 133 cardinals who entered the Sistine Chapel May 7 failed to elect the next pope on their first ballot.

Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna processes into St. Peter's Basilica for the Mass "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice" ("for the election of the Roman pontiff") at the Vatican May 7, 2025.

Choose the pope the world needs, dean urges cardinals before conclave

OSV News May 7, 2025

At Mass before the conclave that will elect the next pope, the dean of the College of Cardinals urged his brothers to choose the shepherd the church and all of humanity need "at this difficult and complex and tormented" turning ...

Cardinals Gérald C. Lacroix of Québec, Wilton D. Gregory, retired archbishop of Washington, and Daniel N. DiNardo, retired archbishop of Galveston-Houston, speak outside the Pontifical North American College in Rome May 5, 2025.

In final pre-conclave meetings, cardinals discuss war, dialogue

OSV News May 6, 2025

With less than 48 hours until the beginning of the conclave, the cardinals who will enter the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope discussed war, the need for dialogue and the role of the pope in fostering it.

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman as he meets with people in Asuncion, Paraguay, July 12, 2015. The pope in January 2021 established the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July, near the July 26 liturgical memorial of Jesus' grandparents Sts. Joachim and Anne. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

In 12 years, Pope Francis made enormous impact on church, liturgical life

OSV News May 2, 2025

While the liturgical legacy of Pope Francis may have flown under the radar for many, several experts told OSV News his 12-year papacy made a definite impact.