Curial reform

The Latest

Pope Francis.

After new appointments, will Pope Francis' stalled curial reform start moving?

Jul 11, 2018

By Elise Harris

A long-time priority of Pope Francis, curial reform – specifically the overhaul of Vatican finances and communications – has been... Read more

Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Vatican dicastery for communications.

Pope taps Italian layman Paolo Ruffini as chief communications officer

Jul 5, 2018

By Elise Harris

After the Vatican's former communications head stepped down in the fallout of a major fake-news scandal, Pope Francis has tapped... Read more

A view of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.

Papal advisors finish first draft of new constitution on the Roman Curia

Jun 13, 2018

By Elise Harris

In their latest round of meetings, Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals has finished and approved the first draft of what... Read more

Archbishop Pawlowski.

Curia reform: Pope Francis reorganizes Vatican Secretariat of State

Nov 20, 2017

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis has established a third section, or department, of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, which reportedly... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at the Vatican during the Synod on the Family, Oct. 13, 2014.

Cardinal Müller: There's no problem between me, Pope Francis

Jul 2, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a brief interview given just hours after hearing that he would no longer be heading the Vatican's doctrine office,... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the Council of Cardinals, Feb. 13, 2017.

Smaller changes expected from Council of Cardinals' latest meeting

Apr 26, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis and his Council of Cardinals met this week to continue discussion on reforming the Roman Curia, focusing on... Read more

A view of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vaticans Apostolic Palace.

In latest round of meetings, papal advisors cover court, bishop selection

Feb 15, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis and his Council of Cardinals met for the 18th time this week to continue discussion on reforming the... Read more

General Audience with Pope Francis, April 17, 2013.

Pope Francis lays out 12 guiding principles for reform of the Roman Curia

Dec 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

In a lengthy, in-depth speech to members of the Roman Curia Thursday, Pope Francis dug into what he said are... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

For the Council of Cardinals, curia reform is an experiment in flexibility

Sep 26, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

How does Pope Francis carry forward the reform of the Roman Curia? Gradually, step by step, by trial and error,... Read more

The Vatican flag.

Existing norms remain for Roman Curia, Pope says

Oct 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has clarified that while the Roman Curia is in the process of being reconstructed, it doesn’t mean there... Read more

Pope Francis walking out of the Paul VI Hall during the Synod on the Family, Oct. 9, 2015.

Updated: Pope Francis creates Vatican office combining laity, family, life issues

Oct 22, 2015

Pope Francis announced Thursday to the Synod on the Family that he has chosen to establish a new office in... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Francis' Council of Cardinals proposes a new congregation for the Roman Curia

Sep 16, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Council of Cardinals finally submitted to Pope Francis on Wednesday a proposal to establish a new congregation for laity,... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican flag.

Pope Francis creates new secretariat overseeing all Vatican communications

Jun 27, 2015

The Vatican’s nine communications offices will soon be consolidated under the authority of the newly-established Secretariat for Communications, per a... Read more

St. Peter holding the keys.

Pope Francis approves greater bishop accountability in abuse cases

Jun 10, 2015

Bishop accountability in the mishandling of abuse cases and abuse allegations were key themes in the Vatican’s latest round of... Read more

Cardinals participate in a consistory held in St. Peter's Basilica, Nov. 4, 2014.

'A reform to promote harmony' – Pope Francis opens a much-debated consistory

Feb 12, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A reform to promote a greater harmony in the work of the Roman Curia, in Pope Francis’ words, was the... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Jan. 25, 2015.

Could a new charity department lead a reformed Roman Curia?

Feb 11, 2015

The secretary of the Council of Cardinals will present tomorrow at the consistory a proposal for curial reform based on... Read more

St. Peter's statue in St. Peter's Square.

What are the theological criteria to reform the Church and the Roman Curia?

Feb 9, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The reform of the Roman Curia must be an example for the spiritual renewal of the entire Church, the prefect... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Will the appointment of new cardinals advance reform?

Jan 5, 2015

In creating 20 new cardinals – 15 of whom will be cardinal electors – Pope Francis has continued to set... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Will a host of pontifical councils be merged into two congregations?

Dec 9, 2014

The establishment of two large congregations, to include many tasks formerly divided among several pontifical councils, is expected to be... Read more

Council of Cardinals meeting this week for fourth time

Apr 28, 2014

The latest meeting of the group of eight cardinals advising Pope Francis on the reform of the Roman Curia began... Read more