Latest from Megan Williams
Ahead of conclave, this Italian tailor is making 3 different sizes of cassocks
The conclave that begins next Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46½ years for which the Vatican hasn’t ordered a set of cassocks for the new head of the Catholic Church. But that isn't stopping one papal tailor.
Analysis
How an accidental email captured what some call Pope Francis's mixed legacy on women
As the Catholic Church mourns the death of Pope Francis and its all-male College of Cardinals prepares to elect his successor, an accidental email sent last month captured the contradictions at the core of Francis's legacy on women.
The conclave that will elect a new pope is more diverse. Will it also be more unpredictable?
Shepherding the flock may be the classic Christian ideal of leadership, but when the conclave opens on May 7 to choose a new pope for the Roman Catholic Church, forging consensus among the cardinals could prove more akin to herding cats.
Analysis
Pope Francis set the Vatican on a path toward tolerance in a changing world
Longtime Vatican observers say that along with Francis’s radical refocusing of Church priorities came a hierarchical overhaul, one that will leave as lasting a mark as his revisioning of the Church’s role in the modern world.
The next pope: Continuity, change or surprise?
Pope Francis reshaped the Catholic Church. Cardinals will come together in the coming days to begin the process of selecting a successor and decide if his revolution continues.
Pope Francis's belief in listening will have lasting legacy, says Canadian cardinal
Pope Francis’s appeal stems from his leadership on what the Catholic Church calls 'synodality,' said Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, an approach that invites more voices into church decision-making.
Italian journalist's detainment in Iran sparks high-stakes talks over her freedom
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Iran since Dec. 19 on charges of breaching Islamic law, her plight sparking outrage and a flurry of diplomatic activity involving Rome, Tehran and Washington. This week, Italy's Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador, demanding her immediate release.
'Miracle of nature': Bergamot's fragile revival in southern Italy
Growers of bergamot in Reggio Calabria’s unique microclimate wrestle for control of the citrus fruit valued for its complex, fragrant oil and healthy juice.
Dressing the pope's protectors: Meet the master tailor behind one of the world's best-dressed forces
For almost three decades, the Swiss Guard uniforms have been crafted by Ety Cicioni, the Vatican’s head tailor. Maintaining the century-old design of uniform has become a challenge as certain materials, fabrics and sewing techniques have become obsolete
Pope makes Archbishop of Toronto a cardinal. Some praise his humility; others say he's out of touch
Archbishop of Toronto Francis Leo formally joined the College of Cardinals on Saturday, becoming one of five Canadians within the highest rank below the Pope in the Roman Catholic hierarchy.