So You're Going To Meet The Pope ... A Primer On The Pontiff
What do you wear? What do you do? And if you get more than a few moments to speak straight into the pontiff's ear, what do you say?
Pope Francis
Pope Francis' Digital Reach Helps Put Him In Your Pocket
Pope Francis' social media feeds have blossomed while he's been pontiff, allowing followers to access his messages via Twitter, YouTube and also an app on their smartphones.
'It's All About Church Closings': Catholic Parishes Shrink In Northeast, Midwest
Pope Francis is set to visit a Catholic school in New York City that used to have a sponsoring church. The parish was closed in 2007 in a region that has been a traditional Catholic stronghold.
Savior Or Villain? The Complicated Story Of Pope Francis' Next Saint
The pope will canonize 18th-century Spanish priest Junipero Serra in the U.S. later this month. But descendants of the Mission Indians in California say Serra destroyed their traditional way of life.
Previous Papal Visits Changed Little, But Cubans Hopeful For Pope Francis
John Paul II urged openness during his 1998 tour of the island, but progress has been slow in the 17 years since. Pope Francis, who helped reopen U.S. relations, arrives next week.
Built By Immigrants, U.S. Catholic Churches Bolstered By Them Once Again
About 40 percent of U.S. Catholics are foreign-born or the children of immigrants. The change is having profound effects, from reviving dying parishes to shifting the church's geographical center.
With Bold Words And Baby Steps, Pope Finds Fans Beyond His Flock
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.
Through Soccer, Teen Migrants Rebuild Lives And Get Chance To Meet Pope
During his U.S. visit in September, the pope is set to meet with unaccompanied minors from Central America who have formed a youth soccer team co-sponsored by New York's Catholic Charities.
In Defiance Of The Church, Some Catholic Women Seek Priesthood
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.
Mother Teresa's Missionaries Of Charity Says No More Adoptions In India
The Catholic sisters known for their blue and white habits say they have asked the government to de-register 13 orphanages over religious objections to the country's new adoption guidelines.