the nuns on the bus were at one time criticized by the vatican under benedict xvi's leadership for having "serious doctrinal problems" and "radical feminist themes incompatible with the catholic faith." when american religious sisters were under investigation by the vatican, the international union of superiors general, in contrast, issued a strong statement of support for u.s. women religious congregations. the iusg praised american women religious for living up to the directives and spirit of the second vatican council. unlike u.s. bishops at that time, the nuns on the bus group was supportive of national health care legislation known as obamacare. simone campbell was one of the american nuns targeted by then pope benedict xvi in 2012 through his controversial investigation of the leadership conference of women religious. the vatican investigators accused the american nuns of insufficient adherence to traditional doctrines. however, pope francis ended the investigation in 2015 and reconciled with the american nuns.