Pope Francis didn’t affirm same-sex marriage or lobby for ordaining women as priests. But he gently steered the Catholic Church in a more progressive direction while leading with compassion, openness and humility.

When Pope Francis died the world lost not only the leader of the Catholic Church but also the first pontiff in history to take a stance on climate change.

When Pope Francis visited the United States in 2015, cheering crowds of Catholics and non-Catholics turned out in New York, Washington and Philadelphia to greet him, lifting hopes that the U.S. church was about to enter a new,

A new pope does not swoop in and openly set about undoing the legacy of another. But a lot can change as far as style, emphasis, guidance and law.

Flags in Minnesota will be at half mast this week to honor and remember Pope Francis. On Monday, Gov. Tim Walz issued the proclamation, ordering all U.S. and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings until the day of Francis' interment.

Tributes to Pope Francis poured in from around the world on Monday after the Vatican announced the pontiff's death at age 88. The 266th pope was praised for his groundbreaking steps to honor the poor and the vulnerable;