VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church’s teaching in areas such as the death penalty and nuclear ...

It's very possible the next pope could be from Africa, where the Catholic Church continues to add millions of members.

Francis upheld church teaching opposing abortion and echoed his predecessors in saying that human life is sacred and must ... he met with the country’s top Shiite cleric and a revered figure ...

Where Francis, who died on Monday, stood on key issues: Abortion Francis upheld church teaching opposing abortion and echoed his predecessors in saying that human life is sacred and must be defended.

Pope Francis—whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio—was chosen pope, shocking many church observers who had previously viewed the Argentine cleric, who was well-known for his care for the ...