Pope appoints Ghanaian cardinal to head Vatican’s justice and peace office

VATICAN CITY — The pope appointed Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana to head the Vatican’s justice and peace office Saturday, a high-profile post that cements his reputation as a possible future papal candidate.

Vatican meeting tells corrupt Catholic politicians in Africa to repent or quit

VATICAN CITY — Bishops attending a Vatican meeting on Africa issued a blunt ultimatum Friday to corrupt Catholic political leaders in Africa: repent or leave public office.

Surprise Vatican plan would welcome Anglicans unhappy with gay, female clergy

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican announced Tuesday it was making it easier for Anglicans to convert to Roman Catholicism — a surprise move designed to entice traditionalists opposed to women priests, openly gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions.

Surprise Vatican plan would welcome disaffected Anglicans into church

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican announced a stunning decision Tuesday to make it easier for Anglicans to convert, reaching out to those who are disaffected by the election of women and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church’s conservative ranks.

Surprise Vatican plan makes it easier for disaffected Anglicans to convert

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican announced a stunning decision Tuesday to make it easier for Anglicans to convert, reaching out to those who are disaffected by the election of women and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church’s conservative ranks.

Vatican makes it easier for Anglicans to convert; creates new provision within Catholic Church

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican announced surprise plans Tuesday to make it easier for Anglicans to convert, reaching out to those who are disaffected by the election of female and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church’s conservative ranks.

Vatican creates new church structure for Anglicans who want to join Catholic Church

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has made it easier for Anglicans to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the election of openly gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions.

Pope recalls ‘persecution’ of missionaries

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI recalled Sunday the dangers faced by Catholic missionaries around the world, citing the recent murder of an Italian priest in Brazil and the abduction of an Irish priest in the Philippines.

History of astronomy, from early telescopes to Galileo writings, on view at Vatican Museums

VATICAN CITY — Rudimentary telescopes, celestial globes and original manuscripts by Galileo are going on view at the Vatican Museums as part of an exhibit marking the 400th anniversary of the astronomer’s first celestial observations.

Pope to visit Rome synagogue in January as part of Catholic-Jewish dialogue

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI will visit Rome’s main synagogue in January as part of Catholic-Jewish dialogue.

African nuns demand more of a say in running Catholic Church at Vatican meeting

VATICAN CITY — African nuns told a Vatican meeting Friday they want more of a say in running the Catholic Church on the continent, saying they have special talents and shouldn’t be left to clean churches and mend vestments.

African bishops speak of Obama election in religious terms, at odds with US counterparts

VATICAN CITY — African bishops attending a Vatican meeting are speaking about the election of Barack Obama in divine terms — putting them very much at odds with many of their U.S. counterparts.

Pope: Africa is world’s ’spiritual lung,’ but harmed by materialism, religious fundamentalism

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict opened a special meeting of bishops on Africa on Sunday by praising the continent as the world’s spiritual center but lamenting that it risks being afflicted by materialism and religious fundamentalism.