Vatican City

The US and Cuba supposedly negotiated in secret for more than a year to bring about a thaw between the two countries. They weren’t the only ones, though: Pope Francis also helped the two longtime enemies conduct their back-channel diplomacy.

American nuns have come in for sharp criticism in the past from Vatican officials. But the Catholic Church’s latest report on nuns in the US offered praise instead, a welcome change at a time when American religious orders are growing older and more cash-strapped.

Pope Francis has already called attention to poverty and inequality, and he’s now calling Catholics to pay more notice to the environment. In doing so, he could change not only policy but the way that people view sin and responsibility.Pope Francis has already called attention to poverty and inequality, and he’s now calling Catholics to pay more notice to the environment. In doing so, he could change not only policy but the way that people view sin and responsibility.

President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday. Both sides described the meeting as cordial, and Obama professed himself a “great admirer” of the new pontiff. Despite the bonhomie, there are issues that divide the two men. President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday. Both sides described the meeting as cordial, and Obama professed himself a “great admirer” of the new pontiff. Despite the bonhomie, there are issues that divide the two men.

Six years ago, derivatives trader Jerome Kerviel made some bad trades — very bad trades that cost his bank nearly $7 billion. Now he faces prison and perhaps paying it back. So he’s decided to take a long walk, from Rome to Paris.