Catholic church

Among bishops and priests, Pope Francis is in familiar — and lighthearted — territory. But among non-Catholics in the U.S., the pope's comments have also generated significant enthusiasm.

With Bold Words And Baby Steps, Pope Finds Fans Beyond His Flock

6:25am October 20, 2015

by Joel Rose

Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the U.S. has American Catholics excited — but they aren't the only ones. The pope's statements on the environment and social issues have appealed to non-Catholics, too.

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Caryl Johnson (center) oversees communion at St. Mary Magdalene Community in Drexel Hill, Pa., as parishioners Janet Hamm and Jim Kalb assist. Unlike most traditional Roman Catholic services, a gluten-free bread and alcohol-free wine are offered.

In Defiance Of The Church, Some Catholic Women Seek Priesthood

6:04am October 20, 2015

by Jeff Brady

Caryl Johnson calls herself a priest, but technically she was excommunicated after being ordained. Johnson is one of many Catholic women who see a gap between what they believe and church dogma.

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Pope Francis speaks at the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Saturday. On Sunday, the pontiff wraps up his six-day visit to the U.S. by celebrating a huge Mass in the city.

Pope: 'God Weeps' For Victims Of Sex Abuse

3:56pm October 01, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Francis also told bishops at a morning meeting that "I commit to a careful oversight to ensure that youth are protected."

Pope Francis waves during a parade to an open-air Mass in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Pope Francis Says Goodbye, As U.S. Trip Concludes In Philadelphia

3:55pm October 01, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The pontiff's six-day visit to the U.S. came to an end at Philadelphia International Airport, where he met Vice President Biden and delivered a brief farewell to the American cities that hosted him.

Pope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn during his arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Thursday.

Pope Francis Inspires Black Catholics, Despite Complicated Church History On Race

12:10pm September 25, 2015

by Mary C. Curtis

The arrival of Pope Francis has triggered discussions of the Catholic Church's historic treatment of the African-American faithful, and has sparked hopes for a better future.

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Pope Francis walks down the steps of his plane upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Tuesday.

GOP Presidential Hopefuls Walk Delicate Line On Pope Francis

9:03am September 23, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

There are more Catholic Republicans than ever running for president, but not all have embraced Pope Francis' more liberal statements and theology.

View of a banner with the portrait of Pope Francis flanked by images of legendary rebels Ernesto 'Che' Guevara (right) and Camilo Cienfuegos (left), in Havana, Cuba, on Friday. Pope Francis will spend more than three days in Cuba starting Saturday before

Pope's Itinerary For Visits To Cuba, U.S.

10:57am September 22, 2015

by Scott Neuman

Francis has a full schedule, which includes a meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana and President Obama in Washington, D.C., where he will also address a joint meeting of Congress.

Pope Francis prays during his general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on June 3. The pope has made statements supporting the idea that climate change is man-made, and his upcoming encyclical on the environment and poverty is highly anticip

Will Pope's Much-Anticipated Encyclical Be A Clarion Call On Climate Change?

2:30pm June 18, 2015

by Sylvia Poggioli

On Thursday, the Vatican releases Pope Francis' document on the environment and poverty. He has said he believes global warming is a moral, and man-made, issue — angering climate change skeptics.

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Jon Rogers is hugged by his wife, Maryellen, following services at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Church in Scituate, Mass., in June 2014.

Boston Archdiocese, Catholic Parishioners Battle Over Church Eviction

4:04pm May 07, 2015

by Craig LeMoult

Parishioners in Scituate, Mass., are being sued for eviction after holding on to their church for 11 years. The archdiocese wants to close it because of dropping attendance and financial hardship.

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Pope Francis delivers a speech Wednesday during his general audience at Saint Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Pope Francis Calls Gender Pay Gap A 'Pure Scandal'

2:37pm April 29, 2015

by Krishnadev Calamur

NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports that Francis' remarks, at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, are some of his most forceful statements yet in favor of women.