Any way it's examined, analysts say the Catholic vote is not as monolithic as it once was.

"We are here to seek opportunities in this country and we are not a threat."

The report argues that the case for genocide exists and called on Secretary of State John Kerry to make such a declaration and to include Christians in it.

Advocates called for an end of the policy of holding remaining detainees without charges.

The U.S. bishops Nov. 17 elected Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield as the new general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The pilgrimage is among dozens of actions Catholics are taking in preparation for the upcoming 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many Catholic environmental advocates are hopeful that the Paris summit will result in a long-term pact to reduce carbon emissions with the goal of slowing climate change.

"We cannot ignore that we are co-responsible for all around the world," Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga said. "We cannot be closed down in our own borders and looking only to our own places because all of us are citizens of the same earth and all of us have a common home."

The Wisconsin Republican is faced with keeping his party's conference unified as he takes a position that places him third in line for the presidency. He has vowed to change business-as-usual in the House by building broad consensus for legislation and pledged to eschew last-minute, closed-door deals.

The scene in Foundation Hall of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum during Pope Francis' visit spoke volumes about the Catholic Church and interreligious relations.On the platform with Pope Francis Sept. 25 were representatives of the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish, Muslim religions as

Concerned that Puerto Rico's debt crisis is inflicting hardship on poor and middle-class households, Archbishop Robert Gonzalez Nieves of San Juan met with congressional leaders and the White House to push for a resolution.