At least two German bishops, including Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich - one of the pope's top advisors - have expressed support for some kind of church blessing for same-sex unions.
Cardinal Sean O'Malley said a special mass at Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross to remember those killed and injured in Monday's bomb blast and in the subsequent manhunt for the suspects.
Ms. Marogna said she had been paid more than half a million dollars by the cardinal to work as an international mediator for the Roman Catholic Church.
He's chosen 21 new cardinals including prelates from Jerusalem and Hong Kong, where Catholics are a small minority, saying they will manifest the bond for churches around the world.
The Vatican published a letter Francis wrote to five cardinals after receiving a list of five questions from them on hot button issues facing the Church.
The cardinals in blood red robes processed up the aisle of the crowded St. Peter's Basilica, passing the bishops in their deep purple gowns and stopping briefly at the altar to pray.
Pope Francis has taken another step to mark his stamp on the Catholic Church with the selection of 21 new cardinals, some coming from countries where Catholicism isn't widely practiced.