Pope emeritus Benedict XVI is sick with a bacterial infection and "very frail," according to a German newspaper report.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - The Holy See's provisional agreement with China on the appointment of bishops has drawn criticism from some U.S. religious freedom leaders, who contend that it concedes too much to power to the government and undermines efforts to protect other suffering religious groups.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis called Monday for every member of the Catholic Church to pray and fast in penance for the evil of clerical sex abuse, and to be involved in needed change within the Church.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - By most accounts, Pope Francis was elected with a mandate to reform the Roman Curia- the complex network of dicasteries, commissions, and councils charged with the central administrative work of the Catholic Church- a network that, even to insiders and experts, more often resembles a rabbit warren than a well-defined system of governable offices with clear responsibilities.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Vatican changed on Thursday the Catechism of the Catholic Church's teaching on the permissibility of the death penalty, which the Church has taught is legitimate in limited cases, stating the penalty is 'inadmissible,' and its elimination should be sought.

VATICAN CITY (CNA) - After publishing a highly controversial essay in July 2017 alleging the existence of an "ecumenism of hate" between Catholics and Evangelicals in the U.S., close papal confidantes Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, and Marcelo Figueroa in a new article issue a scathing critique of the "prosperity gospel," which they say is based on a reductionist view of the American Dream.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has reportedly said he will allow for debate as to whether married men could be ordained to the priesthood in the region during a 2019 Synod of Bishops focusing on the Church in the Amazon basin.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After Australian police announced that they have charged him on multiple counts of sexual abuse, Cardinal George Pell has maintained his innocence, saying he will take leave from his responsibilities in the Vatican to clear his name.

Vatican City (CNA/EWTN News)- In his message for the first World Day of the Poor, Pope Francis said that the suffering and broken bodies of the poor are where we encounter the body of Christ - and to know Christ we must know the poor.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After months of anticipation, Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump finally met at the Vatican Wednesday in a friendly encounter which included an emphasis on protection of life and freedom of conscience.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - President Donald Trump has chosen Callista Gingrich, wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, according to reports.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis reminded Christians on Easter Sunday that the Resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith - and that even in the face of unexplainable tragedy and suffering in the world, we can declare, "Christ is risen!"

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After a bomb blast killed over 20 people and wounded several others during Palm Sunday celebrations in Egypt, Pope Francis voiced his closeness to the Coptic nation, and prayed for those who perpetrate violence through the arms trade.

New instructions published by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reaffirm teaching that the Church is not opposed to cremation, while continuing to recommend that the cremated remains of the deceased be buried in Catholic cemeteries or other sacred spaces.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In his message for Lent 2017, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that they should heed the Scriptures and treat each human person they encounter as a gift.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Even her friend of more than 30 years, Father Sebastian Vazhakala, did not know Mother Teresa had conversations with and visions of Jesus before forming the Missionaries of Charity.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Jesus wasn't worried about his polling results, Pope Francis said Tuesday - instead, he was concerned with each and every person, seeing everything about them, even those things which were seemingly small or inconsequential.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis said having total faith and trust in God means recognizing that he always knows and wants what is best for us, even if it's hard to accept because it doesn't align with our own plans.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis issued strong words against worshipping idols, cautioning against the false hope that beauty, wealth and power can give, but which lead a person to trust in empty promises rather than in the Lord.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - Last week's opening of a McDonald's in a Vatican-owned property just around the corner from St. Peter's Square has been both welcomed and decried by Rome's locals.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a letter sent to bishops around the world for the feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis lamented the many children who suffer from war, slavery and various forms of abuse, including within the Church.

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Richard G. Lennon from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Cleveland and has named Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until the installation of a new bishop.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Saturday, Dec. 17, Pope Francis will celebrate his 80th birthday, which he will spend doing what he normally does: offering Mass and meeting with various heads of State and members of the Roman Curia.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - During the Angelus for the third Sunday of Advent, also called Gaudete Sunday, Pope Francis made a special appeal for prayers for the people of Aleppo and Syria, and for all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks which have taken place in places such as Turkey and Egypt.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - While signs of bustling pilgrims who came for the Jubilee of Mercy are mostly gone, new signs of Christmas are springing up around St. Peter's Basilica, including the construction of the large Nativity scene in the middle of the square, and the placement of a Christmas tree alongside it.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After Donald Trump pulled off what was for many a surprising victory in the United States election, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin offered his prayers that the new president-elect would promote peace in a world torn by conflict.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released an instruction Tuesday regarding burial and cremation, reiterating the Church's teaching that cremation, while strongly discouraged, can be permissible under certain restrictions - and that scattering the ashes is forbidden.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Wednesday Pope Francis said that Jesus' salvific mission reaches its culmination on the Cross in his conversation with the two thieves crucified with him, showing that God's mercy goes beyond the desperation of human suffering, responding to it with mercy and forgiveness.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Changes to the regulations for confirming alleged miracles during the causes of saints aim to preserve the scientific rigor of the examination and maintain its distinction from matters of theology, it was announced Friday.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After hearing of the murder of two priests in Mexico, Pope Francis sent a telegram to the country's bishops condemning the violent act, offering his prayers as a sign of closeness to the community and families affected.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis on Sunday officially declared Mother Teresa of Calcutta a saint of the Catholic Church in front of thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's Square - a move the entire world has been waiting for.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Even though World Youth Day doesn't start until next week, thousands of pilgrims from throughout the world are already descending on Krakow ahead of the official event.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Several recent appointments by Pope Francis to Vatican departments show that his reform of the Roman Curia is in tune with what he's said from the beginning about his vision for the Church.

After a truck plowed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 84, Pope Francis voiced his sorrow for the act of "blind violence," and assured the French people of his prayers.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - During his Angelus address Wednesday Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of Tuesday's deadly attack on an Istanbul airport, asking that God would convert the hearts of those who choose violence.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Tuesday, Benedict XVI gave his second public speech since his final day as Pope, expressing gratitude for a lengthy priesthood and for Pope Francis' "goodness," which he said moves him deeply.

ROME, ITALY (CNA/EWTN News) - A Vatican conference dedicated to the up-and-coming 'theology of disability' aims not only to end common stigma surrounding persons with disabilities, but to show that their lives are a gift and to help integrate them more fully into the life of the Church and of society.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has offered his prayers and compassion for those affected by Saturday night's shooting at a nightclub in Orlando.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Thursday Pope Francis said he would be open to the idea of forming a commission to study the historical context of the female diaconate, as well as the possibility of women serving as deacons today.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Catholics who have divorced-and-remarried need the fullness of Church teaching. They also need a wise pastoral and community response to their difficulties that can help them grow in the Christian life, Pope Francis said on Friday in his new document on love in the family.