The Vatican has ended its takeover of the largest group of U.S. nuns two years early, marking an apparent move by Pope Francis to heal ties with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. In 2012, under Pope Benedict, Vatican officials accused the nuns of promoting “radical feminist themes” and appointed three male bishops to oversee them, sparking popular protests. Another investigation of U.S. nuns ended in December with the Vatican praising the nuns’ role.