The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis’ wish that Belgium’s late king be beatified.

Pope Francis has appointed a new bishop to a Texas-based diocese who will replace a theologically conservative critic of the pontiff removed from office last year.

“The president thanked the pope for his continued advocacy to alleviate global suffering, including his work to advance human rights and protect religious freedoms,” the statement read. “President Biden also graciously accepted His Holiness Pope Francis’ invitation to visit the Vatican next month.”

Joe Biden's visit with Pope Francis will be part of a three-day trip to Italy in January, likely the last international trip of Biden's presidency.

President Joe Biden is expected to announce soon that he will visit the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis next month for what would likely be the final international trip of his presidency

The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis ... is long behind us.” Francis has strongly backed the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion and long equated it ...

The Vatican has taken the first main step to implement Pope Francis' wish that Belgium's late king be beatified for having abdicated for a day rather than approve legislation to legalize abortion. Des

President Joe Biden is expected to see Pope Francis on what is likely to be the last overseas trip of his presidency, three unnamed sources familiar with the matter told The Associated Press (AP) in a story published Thursday. The trip is scheduled for next month, according to the sources.

The White House announced that President Joe Biden will head to Italy early next month for a public meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City. During the trip he will also hold meetings with Italy's Prime Minister and President.

He made the remarks a day after the start of the Roman Catholic Church’s Holy Year, known as a Jubilee, which takes place every quarter century. On Tuesday evening, Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica so that the first pilgrims could go through. Millions more are expected to follow over the year.

Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message urges everyone to find courage 'to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions' plaguing the world.

A federal judge in Texas ruled that Democratic President Joe Biden's administration likely exceeded its authority by issuing a rule strengthening privacy protections for women seeking abortions and for patients who receive gender transition treatments.