"Pope Francis appoints Argentine bishop and author as head of Vatican office, emphasizing faith and morality"

Pope Francis has appointed Argentine Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez as the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), one of the Vatican's top posts. Fernandez, a prolific author and theologian, wrote a book on the healing properties of kissing in 1995. The DDF is responsible for promoting and safeguarding doctrine on faith and morals. In his appointment letter, Pope Francis acknowledged past mistakes and "immoral methods" used by the department, which was the modern-day successor of the Inquisition. Fernandez will assume his new role in September and is likely to be elevated to cardinal.