Pope names 19 new cardinals, including six from Latin America

Stressing that their role would be one of service rather than honor, Pope Francis named 19 new cardinals, including six men from his home region of Latin America.

Photographer captures final stages of abandoned churches, factories

Philadelphia photographer Matthew Christopher strongly believes in restoring abandoned buildings, but says if a structure is going to be demolished, it should at least be documented.

Pope, on feast of first martyr, prays for persecuted Christians

Observing the feast of the church's first martyr, Pope Francis prayed for Christians suffering persecution and discrimination around the world, even in countries that nominally honor religious liberty.

Christmas is time to feel God’s closeness, experience peace, pope says

Celebrating the first Christmas since his election, Pope Francis preached the goodness and tenderness of God, and prayed that men and women around the world would allow God's grace to transform them into peacemakers.

Pope Francis is third pope to win Time’s Person of the Year honor

Pope Francis is not seeking fame or accolades, but being named Time magazine's Person of the Year will make him happy if it helps attract people to the hope of the Gospel, said the Vatican spokesman.

Pope calls on Catholics to end world hunger, join in ‘wave of prayer’

Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted has asked that parishes, schools and individuals join Pope Francis in his call to unite in prayer and action against global hunger.

Calls to hike minimum wage echo long-standing Catholic social teaching

When fast-food workers across the country walked off their jobs demanding higher wages Dec. 5, their actions should have caught the attention of the nation's Catholics, say those who stress that the call for a living wage echoes long-standing Catholic social teaching.

Nelson Mandela 1918-2013: South African cardinal recalls the blessing of ‘Madiba’

Nelson Mandela, who led the struggle to replace South Africa's apartheid regime with a multiracial democracy, died Dec. 5 at his home in Johannesburg.

USCCB evangelization chair, others laud pope’s apostolic exhortation

Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" ("The Joy of the Gospel") has prompted plenty of commentary, and not exclusively from Catholic circles.

In conversations with parishioners, pope reveals he once was a bouncer

In addition to having worked sweeping floors and running tests in a chemical laboratory as a teenager, Pope Francis revealed he also used to work as a bouncer.