• Letter Leaked to Pope Francis from Conservative Cardinals Throws Vatican Bishops Meeting Into Confusion

  A gathering of world Roman Catholic bishops was thrown into confusion on Monday with the leak of a letter from conservative cardinals to Pope Francis bitterly complaining that the meeting was stacked against them.

  

• Pope Francis Reaffirms Catholic Opposition to Gay Marriage, but Says Church Must Show Love and Understanding

  Pope Francis on Sunday reaffirmed Catholic opposition to gay marriage as he opened a three-week gathering of bishops from around the world but said the Church had to show love and understanding towards all.

  

• Church Should Use More Inclusive Language Regarding Homosexuals, Vatican Synod Says

  Catholics should stop using condescending language such as "pity" toward homosexuals and find ways to welcome them as sons and daughters of the Church, bishops have told a major gathering on the family.

  

• Pope Francis: Church Should Not Be Stuffy 'Museum', Should Have Courage to Change

  Pope Francis told a Roman Catholic meeting on family issues on Monday that the Church should not be a stuffy "museum of memories" but have the courage to change if that was what God wanted.

  

• Vatican Immediately Fires Gay Polish Priest after Highly Public Coming Out

  The Vatican on Saturday dismissed a Polish priest from his Holy See job after he came out as gay and called for changes in Catholic teachings against homosexual activity on the eve of a major Church meeting on the family.