Raul Castro Says Pope Inspiring Him To Return To Church
The Cuban leader, who went to Jesuit schools as a child, says he might "resume praying and turn to the Church again" if Francis "continues in this vein."
religion
Boston Archdiocese, Catholic Parishioners Battle Over Church Eviction
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.
Vatican Affirms Plan To Make Missionary Junipero Serra A Saint
The choice of Serra, whom the church sees as an evangelist, has drawn criticism over his role in the California mission system of the 18th century.
Texas Shooting Sheds Light On Murkiness Between Free, Hate Speech
The organizers of Sunday's contest for cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad specifically chose Garland, Texas, for their event. The Curtis Culwell Center also hosted a Muslim group's meeting in January.
When A Caller Claims He's The Pope, Be Careful: He May Be Telling The Truth
When Franco Rabuffi's phone rang, the caller said it was Pope Francis. Rabuffi promptly hung up the phone. It turns out that it was actually Pope Francis — which Rabuffi realized on the third try.
Citing Religious Beliefs, Muslim Gitmo Inmates Object To Female Guards
A judge has blocked women from shackling and escorting the five Muslim men on trial for plotting the Sept. 11 attacks. Soldiers, in turn, have filed Equal Opportunity complaints against the judge.
They Speak Hebrew And Keep Kosher: The Left-Behind Ethiopian Jews
Two years ago, Israel ended with great fanfare a program that brought tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel. But many are in limbo, separated from family, the result of stricter religious law.
Dozens Of Writers Join Protest Of Free Speech Award For 'Charlie Hebdo'
Nearly 150 writers have now signed an open letter that condemns the attacks on the French satirical magazine, but questions whether it deserves a free speech prize for its willingness to offend.
Learning About The Quran ... From A Catholic Archbishop
As a young priest, Michael Fitzgerald studied Islam and served the Vatican in Muslim countries. Devoted to promoting Catholic-Muslim understanding, he's now teaching Jesuit students about the Quran.
Pope Francis Calls Gender Pay Gap A 'Pure Scandal'
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.