Arts & Culture

St. Peter’s Basilica hired two women to its team of “sanpietrini,” the church’s specialized artisans and workers, for the first time since the basilica’s maintenance office was established 500 years ago.

The mosaics prominently featured in the Marian sanctuary in Lourdes, France, created by Father Marko Rupnik — accused of abusing dozens of women over his decades of ministry — must eventually be removed from the basilica where they are currently displayed, the bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes said.

The Catholic Church should function like a choir where every member contributes his or her unique part to create a harmonious whole, Pope Francis said.