A conference in New York took up a topic that has been much debated in recent years in arenas ranging from popular culture to papal addresses.

One of the biggest challenges is to make sure that the greater openness shown by Muslim leaders filters down to the average Muslim.

The U.S. bishops have agreed on a set of principles designed to ensure a fair process when health care workers decide whether to join a union.

Palliative care must be part of the nations health care reform, said Colleen Scanlon (left), of the Catholic Health Association.

The Vaticans spokesman, Federico Lombardi, S.J., said that the speech on June 4 brought an element of hope to the world.

Vatican officials met with the foreign minister to discuss ideas that came out of the Saudi-sponsored World Conference of Dialogue in Spain.