Women fear their voices will be sidelined in Catholic synod’s final report
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The rows of seats in the synod hall, where Catholic bishops are meeting to discuss family issues, are filled..
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St. Louis police investigate possible racial motive in string of fires at black churches
ST. LOUIS — Police are stepping up patrols and trying to develop a profile of whomever has set six fires outside churches..
Surprise! Pope Francis stops by Vatican’s new homeless shelter
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis has made a surprise visit to a new homeless shelter just outside Vatican City, the pontiff’s latest..
Earliest draft of the King James Bible discovered by New Jersey professor
(RNS) For about a month after he returned from England last year, a Montclair State University professor did not realize what a treasure he had found..
Pope Francis asks forgiveness for scandals at the Vatican, Rome
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Wednesday (Oct. 14) asked forgiveness for a series of scandals that have befallen the Vatican and..
State Department religious freedom report focuses on terror groups
WASHINGTON (RNS) Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday (Oct. 14) released his department’s International Religious Freedom Report for 2014, and called terror groups..
Diana Butler Bass grounds herself in nature and finds God
(RNS) Four mornings a week, in the tranquil, blushing hours of morning, Diana Butler Bass drives to a familiar walking trail along..
African archbishop: We’re not blocking progress in the church
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Ghanaian Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle on Thursday (Oct. 8) defended African bishops’ role in the Vatican’s meeting on family issues, stating..
US, Canadian denominations to sign mutual recognition pact
(RNS) Two of North America’s most liberal Protestant church groups have teamed up and agreed to recognize each other’s members, ministers and sacraments...
Inspired by Pope Francis, 360 volunteers minister to homeless people
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Most people here came to see Pope Francis. Patty Disney came to see George Spellman. Spellman, who said he is..
‘God weeps,’ says Pope Francis, calling for accountability on sex abuse crimes
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) Pope Francis began the final day of his U.S. visit by meeting privately with five adults abused as children by..
Pope to prisoners: I stand before you a brother
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) It was a meeting of preachers and prisoners, of tattoos and crosses, of caregivers and criminals. Pope Francis visited with..
Pope Francis in Philly: Exhorts clergy to collaborate, urges women to stick with the faith
PHILADELPHIA (RNS) At his start of the final weekend of his nine-day visit to Cuba and the U.S., a weary Pope Francis..
At 9/11 site, pope prays with Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus
NEW YORK (RNS) Pope Francis embraced survivors of 9/11 in the footprints of the Twin Towers, then prayed for peace at an interfaith..
Pope Francis plays Madison Square Garden in touching NY farewell
NEW YORK (RNS) Pope Francis came to Madison Square Garden on Friday night, the site of historic heavyweight title matches, reverberating rock..
Pope Francis to UN: The environment is sacred, like humanity
NEW YORK (RNS) Pope Francis told world leaders gathered at the United Nations on Friday (Sept. 25) they must work to protect..
At St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the pope embraces nuns once under Vatican fire
NEW YORK (RNS) In a grand yet intimate prayer service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday evening (Sept. 24), Pope Francis exhorted..
Pope Francis embraces Washington’s hungry: ‘No justification for homelessness’
WASHINGTON (RNS) Pope Francis went straight from charging the U.S. Congress to care for the neediest to blessing and encouraging Washington’s hungry..
Pope Francis to Congress: ‘Stop fighting, start working!’
WASHINGTON (RNS) In his historic speech to a joint session of Congress on Thursday (Sept. 24), Pope Francis seemed to heed warnings..
Pope at White House: Fight global warming, protect religious freedom
WASHINGTON (RNS) In his first remarks on American soil, Pope Francis on Wednesday (Sept. 23) signaled the balance he might strike during..
Cheers, stillness fill Pope Francis’ first US Mass
WASHINGTON (RNS) A crescendo of cheers and raised cellphones greeted Pope Francis as his white popemobile encircled the crowd gathered for his..
Author Phyllis Tickle dies at 81
EDITOR’S NOTE: Phyllis Tickle died in her sleep Tuesday (Sept. 22), months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. This story was written..
What is the World Meeting of Families?
(RNS) Unless you live under a rock, you know that this week (Sept. 22-27) marks Pope Francis’ first papal visit to the..
Bible must be at center of Anglican meeting, global group says
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Restoring the Bible to the heart of the Anglican Communion should be the goal of a meeting called this..
The quotable Pope Francis: He has a way with words
(RNS) With his simple, thoughtful and often pithy comments, Pope Francis is showing himself to be among the most quotable popes. A..