Watching a Vatican-brokered diplomatic breakthrough in December that may lead to the normalization of relations between the United States and the island-nation of Cuba Eusebio Mujal-Le n was hardly a disinterested bystander A professor and former Chair of the Department of Government at Georgetow

Driven underground quarter-century after it was re-legalized with the end of communist rule

Ending a year that saw the papal visit, a war in Gaza and a resumption of violence in Jerusalem, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal's Christmas message condemned all instances of violence.The patriarch was called to Amman unexpectedly on Dec. 18, so his message was read by Auxiliary Bishop William Shoma

Some exiles 'cautiously hopeful' about change; others feel betrayed

Breakthrough is low hanging fruit for first Latin American pope

American Alan Gross has been released in an apparent exchange with Cuba that has allowed the United States to proceed with a historic normalization of relations with Cuba after decades of hostility suspicion and economic embargo that has previously been lamented by Vatican officials as unproductive