College of Cardinals

Why a ‘Peace Pope’ may (reluctantly) back force against ISIS
- Mar 21, 2015
After 20 years on the lecture circuit I thought I’d heard it all, but last Saturday proved I can still be surprised when an audience member rose to angrily accuse me of channeling Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney. The occasion was the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, where, among other

By John L. Allen Jr.
In rare step, Scottish prelate caught in sex scandal quits as cardinal
- Mar 20, 2015
A Scottish cardinal who stepped down as an archbishop in 2013 amid revelations of sexual misconduct now has renounced his rights and privileges as a cardinal, although he will retain the title, the Vatican announced Friday. Though not quite unprecedented, the specter of a Catholic prelate all but losing his

By John L. Allen Jr.
The pope’s new cardinals could perpetuate the system, not upend it
- Jan 5, 2015
ROME — “Throw the bums out” is a well-recognized instinct in politics, often fueled by cycles of scandal and corruption or simply a perception that the same cast of characters has been in power for too long. In the 1990s, for instance, the desire to shake things up led to

By John L. Allen Jr.

With Pope Francis to name new cardinals in February, what's at stake?
- Dec 11, 2014
The Catholic Church’s most exclusive club will have new members come February, as the Vatican announced Thursday Pope Francis will hold a consistory to create new cardinals Feb. 14-15. Almost nothing a pope does is as critical to the direction of Catholicism, in part because cardinals are the most influential

By John L. Allen Jr.
New cardinals, fighting abuse, Vatican reform set for February
- Dec 11, 2014
ROME — February is shaping up to be a busy month at the Vatican, with movement on the fight against clerical sex abuse, further steps on the reform of Church governance, and the creation of new cardinals. Sexual abuse A Vatican spokesman announced Thursday at a press briefing in Rome

By Inés San Martín