VATICAN CITY (AP) — An umbrella group for U.S. nuns under a Vatican-mandated overhaul is hoping for a different approach under Pope Francis.
Several American religious sisters say they’re encouraged that Francis shares their emphasis on social justice and knows about the challenges of life in a religious order.
Francis was elected last week as the first Jesuit pontiff. He inherits a reform order for the U.S. nuns’ group known as the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. The organization represents about 80 percent of American sisters.
Last year, Vatican investigators accused the group of ignoring issues such as abortion while focusing almost exclusively on social ministry. The sisters called the findings flawed.
Officers of the Leadership Conference declined comment this week and said only they look forward to continuing to work with the Vatican.
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