In some sense the Christmas story is one of borders. The Gospel of Luke tells us that the Holy Family’s journey begins with a population divided, a census of “the whole world...each to his own town” (2:1-3). And, in the Gospel of Matthew, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, then f

Pope Francis will make his second trip to Asia, with stops in Sri Lanka and the Philippines, from Jan.12 to 19. Gerard O'Connell, America's Rome correspondent, is accompanying the pope and will provide ongoing coverage and analysis. O'Connell writes that "mercy and compass

The results of the Senate's investigation into C.I.A. practices presents a serious moral challenge to all Americans.

Isolation has been given 50 years to “work” in Cuba; that has been more than enough time to demonstrate its ineffectiveness.

Vatican suggests that the church’s conditional acceptance of deterrence is no longer functional.

Administration action on immigration is only a first step in long road to comprehensive reform.

A roundup of America's reporting and reactions

New law provides additional oversight and training for federal child care program.

There's been startling growth in the number the nation’s homeless children in recent years.

Campesinos agitating for land rights, journalists and human rights activists face violence and intimidation.