UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon In Jerusalem Urges Calm As Violence Continues
The secretary-general's visit comes as recent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians have left dozens dead.
religion
Oprah Hopes Her Midas Touch Gilds Her OWN Series, 'Belief'
Oprah Winfrey acquired a stake in Weight Watchers and the company's stock soared. She hopes to do the same for her cable TV network with a new seven-part series on faith and religion around the world.
At U.S. Seminaries, A Rise In Millennials Answering God's Call
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been aging, along with its dwindling priestly ranks. But in the increasingly secular world, there's been a recent uptick in younger men studying to become priests.
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' 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.
Art Installation To Welcome Pope Francis To Philadelphia
A Philadelphia artist has been commissioned to welcome the pope with a public art display. She's reinterpreting one of the pope's favorite pieces of art: a baroque painting of the Virgin Mary.
'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.