This Month
Nazi gold, organised crime: New pope faces unholy financial crisis
The late pontiff sought to battle corruption, but his successor faces a steep challenge in balancing the books.
April
Trump, Zelensky meet in Rome as Pope Francis buried
World leaders and hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful farewelled the pontiff in a funeral that highlighted his concern for the most marginalised.
Australia’s lone Cardinal in Rome for Pope’s funeral
Melbourne-based Cardinal Mykola Bychok will also participate in the conclave to select a new pope.
Pope Francis often criticised Trump. He knew how to charm him, too
Fundamental differences between the two men led to some fiery public clashes. But both knew how to excite a crowd – and popularity is a currency Trump respects.
MAGA Catholics move to take back control of the church
A growing number of Americans hope that Pope Francis’ death will mark a decisive conservative shift for the papacy.
Favourites jostle in multimillion-dollar papal betting market
Filipino cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has a 26 per cent chance of becoming the next pope, according to prediction markets.
Pope Francis brought humanity but leaves a church in decline
Modelling a different kind of leadership to that of his predecessors, Francis intended to break the cycle of decay. What unfolded next was very different.
Who will attend Pope Francis’ funeral?
Cardinals met at the Vatican on Tuesday to schedule proceedings, and plan the conclave to elect his successor, as world leaders prepared to pay their respects.
Argentines mourn ‘humble’ pope and native son
Grief-stricken Argentines marked what many considered a deeply personal loss in churches, with flowers, hand-scrawled messages and eclectic tokens of affection.
Inside the ultra-secretive conclave to choose a pope
More than 100 cardinals will be locked inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to select the next head of the Catholic Church. The process could take days.
Will a ‘young’ Filipino become the next pope?
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is often mentioned among Catholic Church liberals – but his age may actually count against him.
A pope who gave hope for saving the planet
A pontiff for our times who championed social justice, responded to the climate crisis, and threw the door of the church wide open to the world.
Doctors told him to rest. But the Pope had a message
The pontiff celebrated Easter, received Vice President J.D. Vance, issued a final message and took one last ride in the popemobile.
Pope Francis dies of stroke hours after Easter service
Pope Francis, who pushed for a more inclusive Roman Catholic Church during his 12-year papacy, has died. He was 88, and had recently survived double pneumonia.
Why hope still matters in a divided world
Despite the social conflicts we are experiencing at home and abroad, Easter and Passover are still times for reconciliation and celebrating light over darkness.
February
Lost opportunity that might have reshaped the Catholic Church
A little-remembered gathering in the 1960s could have stopped the problems which now batter the Church’s reputation, a new book argues.
The doomsday cult taking over Fiji and building ‘paradise’
The story of how a fringe South Korean church convinced Fijians to embrace its business empire – and ignore its dark side – is one with security implications for Australia.
November 2024
Archbishop of Canterbury quits in scandal over ‘prolific abuser’
The spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide has stepped down, after a report found he had failed to act on allegations against John Smyth.
Fortescue Energy chief quits religious group board amid staff concerns
Mark Hutchinson is no longer a director of Alpha Australia National Office, whose evangelical attitudes towards sex have displeased many employees.
October 2024
‘I have let you down’: Fortescue’s Hutchinson apologises to gay staff
Fortescue chairman Andrew Forrest says his leaders are required to back equality, prompting a mea culpa from energy boss Mark Hutchinson.