Archbishop Burke, 61, will help shape the episcopate not only in the United States but also around the world.

The U.S. bishops' office is working behind the scenes to improve the health care bills to put them in line with their vision of health care.

“The most tragic thing I have seen is the miles-long wall that separates Jerusalem from Bethlehem, said Cardinal John P. Foley. "It is humiliating and distressing.”

In an address to the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Pope Benedict  expressed hope that the sacred Scriptures will become a font of spirituality.

Catholic leaders say a proposal requiring Baltimore pregnancy centers to post a disclaimer telling clients they do not provide abortion services is harassment.

In a lecture Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, Pa., sharply criticized what he called the “slavishly literal” translation into English of the new Roman Missal.