Even though it is no longer a surprise, Pope Francis still makes news with his direct pastoral ministry, as he did in May, going door-to-door to bless homes in a public housing complex in the Roman suburbs.

The U.S. bishops have raised some serious concerns about what this proposal says about our national values.

At this point, it is important to find level ground, rather than stumble down a hill that we may not be able to climb back up.

As necessary as opposition to abortion and funding for it are, they are not sufficient pro-life goals, especially when achieving them eliminates support for other programs that support maternal health.

Public safety and protecting the civil rights of citizens are not competing goals.

The exclusion of pro-life Democratic candidates feeds cynicism about our money-driven political process.