Religion News Service

From welcoming transgender women at the Vatican to promoting LGBTQ outreach around the world, some advocates say Pope Francis has created a space for inclusion without fear.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the government can proceed with the transfer of Oak Flat to a private venture that's planning an underground copper mine. The Apache Stronghold coalition said they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Thomas Reese: The pope has a lot of unfinished business, and I don't see him walking away from it. Some of his reforms are just now getting started.

Burial, cremation and alkaline hydrolysis are the only death care choices currently available in California. The California Catholic Conference said the human composting process "reduces the human body to simply a disposable commodity."

Archbishop Roque Paloschi of Porto Velho said the pope reassured him during a visit at the Vatican that despite the many challenges the pope faces, resigning "does not cross his mind."

Thomas Reese: The only advice I can give to graduates today is, don’t follow our example. If the next generation opens their hearts to love and compassion, they will be the greatest generation of this century.

Catholic lawmakers in Colorado who have been asked by their bishops to voluntarily refrain from Communion say the church leaders are "weaponizing" the Eucharist to punish the legislators for their votes for an abortion rights bill.

Thomas Reese: Hardly anyone in the country knows about the strong and comprehensive position on gun control taken by the U.S. Catholic bishops.

Former President Donald Trump seemed to frame himself as leading an existential fight against liberal foes, defending America from an attack on the Christian faith.

Pope Francis' flurry of activity in August, seemingly setting the stage for his successor, has fueled rumors of an impending resignation.

Catholic bishops from Colorado asked Catholic lawmakers who voted in favor of abortion rights legislation earlier this year to "voluntarily refrain from Holy Communion," according to an open letter signed June 6 and provided to Religion News Service.

Thomas Reese: The U.S. Catholic bishops are killing off Catholic News Service, one of their most successful national programs. God bless all the CNS journalists who over the years dedicated their lives to the church. They did wonderful work they can be proud of. It is sad to see them go. 

Eco-kosher and eco-halal devotees are less concerned with strict religious approval than faith-based food justice. These ideas are gaining ground as more religious communities see the concept of food justice — the right to eat fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally appropriate and locally grown food — as part of their faith's mission

Thomas Reese: The pope has made the College of Cardinals more Asian and African — and more likely to elect a successor who will follow his policies.

Since San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone barred House Speaker Nancy Pelosi from receiving the Eucharist in his jurisdiction on May 20, three other bishops from the conservative wing of the U.S. Catholic Church have followed, citing her support for abortion rights as cause to invalidate her right to the sacrament.

Phyllis Zagano: The battle between San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may be seen more broadly as one battle in a decades-long disintegration of trust between women and the bishops. 

Thomas Reese: Before he dies or retires, Pope Francis needs to make changes in the process of electing a new pope to avoid the possibility of a deadlocked conclave.

"The transition to a cleaner future can also be a transition to a more just and equitable future," former Vice President Al Gore said  to about 100 representatives of Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Native American traditions at a Black Interfaith Project event on May 17.

Two days after San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone announced he would bar her from receiving the Eucharist in her home city due to her stance on abortion rights, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly received the sacrament at a Catholic church in the nation's capital.

The damage from mining projects in Brazil goes beyond deforestation, the country's bishops say. The effects include death from disease and higher rates of murder and sexual assault.