Junno Arocho Esteves

Pope Francis clears way for women and lay Catholics to vote in upcoming bishops\' meeting
Pope Francis clears way for women and lay Catholics to vote in upcoming bishops' meeting

The addition of lay men and women as voting members is 'not a revolution, but rather an important change,' said a cardinal overseeing the synod.

Francis focuses Easter message on hope, with prayers for an end to global conflicts
Francis focuses Easter message on hope, with prayers for an end to global conflicts

The proclamation that Christ is 'truly risen' is a reminder that 'our hope is not an illusion, but the truth,' the pope said.

In interview, Pope Francis calls priestly celibacy \'not eternal\'
In interview, Pope Francis calls priestly celibacy 'not eternal'

In an interview published Friday (March 10), Pope Francis called celibacy in the priesthood a gift from God but also a 'provisional' discipline observed mostly in the Western Church that is not essential to ordination.