As the first anniversary of the election of Pope Francis approached in mid-March, the Pew Research Religion and Public Life Project noted the pope’s overwhelming popularity but reported it could not tease out a discernible “Francis effect” in the behavior of American Catholics. Pew

U.S. warships steamed toward the Black Sea on a “routine deployment” as the Russian military solidified its hold on the Crimean peninsula on March 7. With Russian soldiers encircling Ukraine military outposts, a hastily reconstituted Crimean parliament, in a further provocation, voted to

Pew Research says it can 39 t tease out a discernable Pope ldquo Francis effect rdquo in the behavior of American Catholics but maybe it needs to look beyond its telephone surveys Talking to some vocation directors might make a good start Jesuit vocations officers for instance are reporting

Despite the pope's immense popularity, there is little evidence of a “Francis effect.”

The U S Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration joined by bishops on the border will travel to Nogales Arizona March 30-April 1 to tour the U S -Mexico border and celebrate Mass on behalf of the close to 6 000 migrants who have died in the U S desert since 1998 According to the

A cease-fire that seemed to offer a chance for a peaceful resolution to months-long conflict in the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, has unraveled. Intermittent fighting has continued since the cease-fire agreement was signed on Jan. 23. But now in Malakal, a key city in an oil-producing re

Christians who remain in Syria 39 s Raqqa province nbsp may now be subject to a quot dhimmi pact quot In classical Islamic law a dhimmi or ldquo protected person rdquo is allowed to live in Muslim lands provided he pays the jizya a residency tax in a state of submission and abides by other

While worldwide attention has focused on Ukraine tensions or searched for signs of hope in Syrian peace negotiations in Geneva, conditions in the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, have deteriorated rapidly. A ceasefire signed on Jan. 23 that seemed to offer a chance for a peaceful resolution

Just two days ago they killed nbsp killed 59 pupils at a boarding school in Yobe state nbsp Why can 39 t these terrorists be stopped From Voice of America YOLA NIGERIA nbsp mdash Gunmen from Islamist sect Boko Haram shot dead at least 12 people during a four-hour siege on villages in northeas

I know parents who treat their children like little gods apparently the latest in Rome is to dress up your kid like a little pope This is the second papal mini-me shot to cross my desk this week Not sure I can endorse this particular innovation in Catholic parenting and this young man seems to h