Sisters at the United Nations and in global ministries hope the new pope will honor Francis' legacy by sharing his priorities and concern for the marginalized.
"Some say he did not do enough; others criticize him for even meeting with people like me," said one transgender Catholic. "But he led by example. And in doing so he brought more hope, more love to the Catholic Church."
Lay Catholics in the U.S. reflected on Pope Francis' legacy as a pastor who sought out those on the peripheries and tried to make the Catholic Church a more welcoming space for the marginalized.
As the world's Catholic cardinals gather for what is expected to be the largest conclave in history, they face a stark choice: to continue along Pope Francis' path of reform, or to initiate a course correction.
Millions of social media users — presidents and politicians, theologians and celebrities — flocked to social media to share tributes, reflections and stories of the late pontiff.
In the face of violence, deprivation, suffering and political turmoil, Palestinian Catholic priests offer Palestinian Catholics spiritual support and aid. Pope Francis calls one pastor every night.
The nuns are unsure how many women they have helped at St. Euphrasia's Safe Home, but a senior worker there said at least 25 women are in the house on any given day.
Contrary to its public narrative, the agency cast a wide net in its California immigration raid, setting the stage for a legal battle over how the government carries out mass deportations.
