A new study notes an uptick on social intolerance and government restrictions on religion around the world and in the United States between 2009 and mid-2010.

About 3,000 students at Fordham University cheered as the comedian Stephen Colbert joined Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and James Martin, S.J., in a discussion of faith, humor and spirituality.

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti called for the creation of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East and elsewhere to demonstrate that “global security must not rely on nuclear weapons.”

The potential power, but also the limits, of an ecumenical proclamation of the Gospel is likely to be a key topic during the meeting in October of the Synod of Bishops.

It is an ongoing criticism this election season that the problem of poverty in the United States is not being addressed by either campaign.

In an effort to comply more fully with international standards against financial criminal activity, the Vatican has hired an outside expert.