Gregory smiles during the procession following his May 21, 2019 Mass of Installation as archbishop of Washington at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. (Catholic Standard Andrew Biraj) Before Cardinal Wilton Gregory made history in November 2020 when he became the first African American cardinal in the Catholic Church after being elevated by Pope Francis,

Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square Monday evening to pray for an ailing Pope Francis, expressing sorrow for his suffering, hope for his recovery and gratitude for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church in new directions.

Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray for an ailing Pope Francis, expressing sorrow for his suffering, hope for his recovery and gratitude for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church in new directions.

Pope Francis’s appeal stems from his leadership on what the Catholic Church calls 'synodality,' said Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, an approach that invites more voices into church decision-making.

Pope Francis’s battle with double pneumonia is the most serious health complication the pontiff has suffered from since taking the Chair of St. Peter in 2013.

Pope Francis "rested well throughout the night" in the hospital, the Vatican says, and even met with Vatican officials to sign several documents linked to sainthood designations on Monday.

Who leads the Catholic Church when the Pope is sick? - Nothing has changed in his status, role or power since Francis was elected the 266th pope on March 13, 2013

A scholar of global Catholicism writes how Francis has opened the church to the outside world in ways no pope had done before.