"We want to let Catholics all throughout the state know that the death penalty is not necessary to protect public safety," Tom Venzor, head of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, said at a press event on Sept. 29.

This is the third year that the pope has been considered a strong contender for the prize, though he remains a long shot.

A question about the candidates' faith provoked a conversation about how political figures should balance religious beliefs in the public square.

Nebraska voters face an electoral oddity in November; they are not being asked to repeal the death penalty, but to bring it back.

The Pew survey finds that regular attendees of Mass are more likely to follow the church on abortion and homosexuality.

“Religious beliefs are a powerful force in our thinking and in our work.”

Joseph Cella, head of the group, called Trump "manifestly unfit to be president" in March but says he has had "a sincere change of heart and mind."

Some religiously motivated voters who make the case for Trump highlight two issues: his promise to appoint pro-life judges and his commitment to religious liberty.

Fewer than two in 10 U.S. Catholics hold a favorable view of Muslims, and many have little understanding of the world’s second largest religion. When asked, “What is your overall impression of Muslims?” 30 percent of those Catholics polled said they held unfavorable views, 14 perce

Recently, some Catholic leaders seem jittery about protests, exercising free speech and community organizing.