Even though cardinals don’t campaign for the job, there are always front-runners going into a conclave to choose the next pope.

The death of a pope triggers a centuries-old ritual to elect a new one.

The Holy See has formally protested to France after a French court ruled that a former high-ranking Vatican official was liable for what the court determined to be the wrongful dismissal of a nun from a religious order.

A Vatican cardinal is suing a Canadian woman for defamation after she accused him of sexual assault while he was archbishop of Quebec.

The Vatican cardinal accused in a class-action lawsuit in Canada of sexual assault against a woman has denied any inappropriate behavior.

The Vatican says a preliminary church investigation into sexual assault allegations by a Canadian woman against a top cardinal has determined the case doesn’t warrant further investigation.

The Vatican on Tuesday will release its long-awaited report into what it knew about ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarricks sexual misconduct during his rise through the church hierarchy. But beyond that, the McCarrick case has forced the Vatican to acknowledge that adults can be victims of sexual abuse, too. Here is what we know about the McCarrick case ahead of the release of the Vatican report:___WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? McCarrick, 90, was defrocked last year after the Vatican determined he sexually abused adults and children, including during confession. ___This story has been corrected to show that the last name of the former McCarrick aide is Figueiredo, not Figueriredo.

(CNN) - Pope Francis opened a highly contentious three-week summit Sunday that could potentially clear the way for some married men to become Catholic priests. If approved, it would be a first for the Catholic church and overturn centuries of tradition of a celibate priesthood. DiscordThe battle over ordaining married men may not turn out to be as contentious as some fear, however. A total of 185 men, consisting of priests and bishops, will be voting on the proposals. Proposals approved by the meeting will be sent to Pope Francis for a final decision.