White smoke, Black pope? Pope Leo XIV, first American pontiff, has African roots
Previously unknown genealogy on the 69-year-old Chicago native was revealed by genealogists shortly after white smoke rose in St. Peter's Square.
Bishops
Amid conclave, Black Catholic theologians remember Pope Francis, look to future
Drs. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow and Andrew Prevot give perspective as cardinals select a new pope to lead the worldwide Catholic Church.
Cardinal Wilton Gregory says Mass at Rome titular church ahead of 2025 papal conclave
The Black Catholic prelate gathered with his Italian faithful amid scheduled Masses with cardinals in town to elect a successor to Pope Francis.
A statement from Bishop John Ricard on Pope Francis and the upcoming conclave
The Black Catholic prelate with the Josephites reflects on the legacy of the late pontiff and encourages prayer for the upcoming papal conclave.
Meet the Black American who read at Pope Francis' funeral.
Kielce Gussie, a 28-year-old journalist from Florida with the Holy See, speaks on her historic appearance during the Requiem Mass in Vatican City.
I was arrested protesting Pope Francis. He was still a force for good.
Félix Cepeda on the complications (and inspiration) of a spiritual leader who called the world to more, despite his flaws.
Goodbye, Francis, pope of mercy
Tamika Royes remembers the pontiff who inspired her to embrace her Catholic spirituality as faith demanding justice and outreach.
Black cardinals—and not just Africans—among candidates for next pope
An African American and a Haitian are expected to join 15 Black African electors in the papal conclave, which could choose one from their number.
Pope Francis, Latin American pontiff of the poor, dead at 88
The globe-trotting Argentinian prelate was a force in the Catholic Church, to which he dedicated seven decades as a student, shepherd, and servant.
Archdiocese of Chicago sues claimants who alleged abuse at Black Catholic parish
Two defendants are among some 30 individuals alleged to have conspired in filing false claims against notoriously former priest Daniel McCormack.
'God is present among the poor': Society of St. Vincent de Paul opens advocacy office in Washington
The new hub on Capitol Hill will serve the Catholic poverty relief organization's lobbying work to the nation's federal legislators.
Minority-serving Catholic school in Albany Diocese to close
All Saints Catholic Academy will close at the end of the current school year, and Blessed Sacrament School will lose grades six through eight.
Cathedral plaque honors late Bishop Fernand Cheri III of New Orleans
The late Black Franciscan prelate served the archdiocese from 2015 until his death in 2023 following extended illnesses.
Transcript: Cardinal Gregory's homily at dedication of Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Student Center chapel at Howard University
The nation's African-American cardinal blessed the new HBCU edifice in Washington during the final week of Black History Month.
The Budde System: Black Catholic radicals and the art of transition
Dcn Tim Tilghman on the pressing time that is "now", and the persistent call of Black Catholics for the Church to move to the tune of justice.
Synod working groups—including on women's ordination, episcopal authority—open for public submissions until April
The 10 study groups were formed in March 2024 to continue (and, in some cases, sideline) discussions swirling at the Synod on Synodality.