Cardinal Matteo Zuppi

For the first time in eight centuries, the mortal remains of St. Francis of Assisi are being exposed for an extended period of public veneration.

“Look to the future with serenity and do not be afraid of making courageous choices,” the pope told some 200 Italian bishops June 17.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — If you ask an Italian, almost five decades of having foreigners as pope is enough. The pope is the bishop of Rome, and it is time …