pope francis

Pope Francis touched down yesterday at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington for the start of his first trip to the United States. His whirlwind tour includes an address to Congress today, a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday and a weekend visit to Philadelphia for the Festival of Families...

The Bishop of Fall River says Pope Francis is strengthening the Catholic Church wherever he goes.  The Pope will be officially welcomed to the United States on Wednesday with a ceremony on the south lawn of the White House. Bishop Edgar Da Cunha of the Fall River Diocese calls Francis a tremendous evangelist for the Catholic Church...

Pope Francis is in the United States. The Pope's plane was greeted by loud cheers from groups of invited students. A red carpet was rolled out before the Pontiff emerged from his plane for an official welcome from President Obama. The presidential entourage included First Lady Michelle Obama, the Obama's two daughters, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill...

Pope Francis begins a 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States on Saturday, embarking on his first trip to the onetime Cold War foes after helping to nudge forward their historic rapprochement. He will be offering a show of solidarity with Cubans and making clear that Hispanics in the United States are the bedrock of the American church...

The Vatican will shelter two families of refugees who are "fleeing death" from war or hunger, Pope Francis announced Sunday as he called on Catholic parishes, convents and monasteries across Europe to do the same. Francis cited Mother Teresa, the European-born nun who cared for the poorest in India, in making his appeal in remarks to pilgrims and tourists in St...

(Associated Press) - Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley and fellow Massachusetts Roman Catholic bishops say it would be against the church's teaching to apply the death penalty to Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev . The statement Monday said Tsarnaev, ``will never again have the ability to cause harm...

Pope Francis says it's OK to spank your children to discipline them - as long as their dignity is maintained. Francis made the remarks this week during his weekly general audience, which was devoted to the role of fathers in the family...

A little-known book about Cuba by Jorge Mario Bergoglio — now Pope Francis — provides new insight into Francis' views on Cuban society, Marxism and the U.S. trade embargo that shaped his behind-the-scenes role in helping bring about the historic thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations.

Pope Francis is urging the international community to find a way to "re-establish the rule of law" in Iraq.

Pope Francis is formally approving the use of exorcism by the Catholic church.  The Vatican's newspaper reported that recognition has been given to the International Association of Exorcists. Father Francesco Bamonte told "L'Osservatore Romano"  the Holy See's decision to recognize them is a joy...