Pope Francis, left, greets Cardinal Angelo Sodano at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. Pope Francis presided over a Eucharistic concelebration in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace Thursday ...

But the pontiff himself ignored accusations that he perpetuated a climate of cover-up for pedophile priests, even as sex abuse scandals threatened to overshadow his papacy. The ringing tribute by ...

A senior cardinal staunchly defended Pope Benedict XVI from “petty gossip” on Sunday as the pontiff maintained his silence on mounting sex abuse cover-up accusations during his Easter message. The ...

VATICAN CITY — Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, the Catholic church's most joyous celebration, began with a senior cardinal defending Pope Benedict XVI from what he called "petty gossip" and ...