Christopher White

Listen: In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Catholic Charities USA president and CEO Kerry Robinson praises Pope Francis' efforts to expand opportunities for women's leadership in the Catholic Church.

A new Vatican document officially declares it possible for Catholic priests to bless same-sex unions and divorced and remarried couples. The pastoral shift may be among the most significant in the church's history. 

Pope Francis, who turns 87 on Dec. 17, is already one of the oldest popes in the church's 2,000-year history. But behind Vatican walls, talk of possible papal transition still remains largely taboo.

One of the chief organizers of the Vatican's high stakes summit on the future of the Catholic Church believes that synodality must be distinguished from the work of diplomacy.

"Artificial intelligence ought to serve our best human potential and our highest aspirations, not compete with them," Pope Francis writes in his message for the upcoming World Day of Peace. 

The Australian Catholic Church played an outsized role in shaping the global consultation process for Pope Francis' Synod of Bishops. "Australia punched well above its weight," said Parramatta Bishop Vincent Long.

Listen: In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Bishop Daniel Flores says the prelates at the recent major Vatican summit wanted to express "a certain amount of sorrow" over how women have been treated by the church.

If Christians want to be successful peacemakers in the world, it will require overcoming divisions among the various Christian denominations, the Vatican's foreign minister said on Nov. 27. 

Pope Francis has canceled plans to travel to Dubai this weekend for a U.N. climate conference at the advice of his doctors following ongoing health issues, the Vatican announced on Nov. 28. 

The pope has canceled several appointments due to an inflammation of the lungs, but he plans to travel to Dubai Dec. 1-3 to address the annual U.N. climate summit, the Vatican says.

Australian Bishop Vincent Long tells NCR in an interview: "I try to follow Pope Francis' lead by focusing on pastoral priorities such as a church that is more inclusive, participatory, open to the gifts of all members."

Pope Francis said he will attend the United Nations' COP28 climate change conference in Dubai next month, becoming the first pontiff to ever address such a high-level summit.

Listen: In this episode of The Vatican Briefing, Jesuit Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator discusses the synod and how its final text made sure that "the space is there to continue to have this conversation."

In an exclusive joint interview just hours after the closing of Pope Francis' Synod of Bishops, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich and San Diego Cardinal Robert McElroy told NCR it would be "impossible to go back" to an era where synods did not involve lay persons as full, voting members.

The Vatican summit on the future of the church concluded on Oct. 28 by postponing action on ordaining women as deacons and failing to acknowledge deep tensions over how to care for LGBTQ Catholics.

View from the Vatican: It was less than two weeks into the synod on synodality when  multiple reports emerged about participating delegates storming out of the room. Tensions, it seems, are part of the synod process. 

The Oct. 25 "Letter to the People of God" from the ongoing Synod of Bishops highlights the significance of women participating in the event as full members, and the duty of the church to listen to clergy abuse victims.

Listen: In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Vatican experts Joshua McElwee and Christopher White have an exclusive conversation with Cardinal Michael Czerny about the ongoing Synod of Bishops.

As Pope Francis' major summit on the future of the Catholic Church enters its final week, bishops and laity were reminded of the Second Vatican Council's emphasis on the church's "living tradition," including the participation and inclusion of all of the "people of God."

Listen: In a special episode of "The Vatican Briefing," Joshua McElwee and Christopher White have an exclusive conversation with Loretto Sr. Jeannine Gramick about her Oct. 17 meeting with Pope Francis. Gramick says the pope "is trying to get us to move forward."