Analysis: Brief Malta Trip Captures Challenges of Pope Francis’ Papacy

In another of his “blink and you’ll miss it” overseas trips, generally one or two-day affairs within Europe and the Mediterranean, Pope Francis arrives Saturday morning on the island nation of Malta and will be on the ground just 18 hours, returning to the Vatican by Sunday night.

ARTWORK WITH PART2

Advocate Says Vatican Curia Changes Allow Women in Management, Not Ministry

One of the nation’s foremost champions for the cause of female deacons considers the Vatican’s new apostolic constitution — which in part opens top Vatican leadership roles to any baptized layperson, including women — an important step for Pope Francis’s vision, but not necessarily one that affects the future of women in the diaconate.

Seattle Archdiocese Redeveloping Property Into Affordable Housing

The Archdiocese of Seattle and its St. James Cathedral will sell and redevelop four properties in the city’s First Hill neighborhood as part of a project that aims to create affordable housing and steer the neighborhood towards carbon neutrality.

Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez Retires After Pope Francis Accepts Resignation

Pope Francis on Wednesday morning accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Paul R. Sanchez of Brooklyn. Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul Sanchez of Brooklyn remembers in 2012 when he received the call that Pope Benedict had named him auxiliary bishop, the apostolic nuncio told him that “you will be very happy in this ministry.”