House Republicans double down on cuts; Bishop Pates calls for compromise.

Secretary of State John Kerry and the U.S. State Department significantly raised the bar both on the ambitions and expectations for upcoming negotiations between West Bank Palestinians and the State of Israel. The wild card left out of the new discussions, which have set the laudable but so far elus

Pope Francis ignited a firestorm on the Internet with a few words about gay and lesbian people that seemed to suggest a new church position on homosexuality I say quot seemed to quot because it would only appear new to someone who was unfamiliar with the old position nbsp Speaking to a gang of r

In a press conference, the pope emphasized human dignity of gay and lesbian people.

nbsp Pope Francis working his side gig as baby whisperer That is one smiley baby and this guy is officially too good to be true

nbsp In a July 26 letter nbsp to Secretary of State John Kerry 30 Jewish Christian and Muslim religious leaders including three Catholic bishops voiced ldquo strong support for his determined initiative for Israeli-Palestinian peace rdquo In letters to the leadership of the Senate Foreign Re

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia says the quot right wing of the church generally have not been really happy quot nbsp with Pope Francis Though I think it 39 s safe to say they are more enthusiastic about Pope Frank the folks are Jesuit Refugee Services are less happy with the Austral

More violence troubles Egypt as at least 6 are killed in clashes between security forces and Morsi supporters with accounts from eyewitness Meanwhile Washington comes closer to a decision on arming Syrian resistance as Free Syrian Army scores a victory in the struggle with Asaad and a UN officia

As young Catholics from around the world await the arrival of Pope Francis in celebration of World Youth Day the Pew Research Center issued a timely report on religion in Brazil today It locates some unterrific if not unexpected news on Catholicism in Brazil where the church is challenged by the

Here 39 s a quick survey of items you may find of interest today Another round of violence in eastern Congo has driven people from their homes and tensions are again on the rise between Sudan and South Sudan over oil and a continuing resistance against Khartoum rule along the border Cardinal Kaspa