NATION/WORLD

The drama in Texas over abortion that drew national and international attention came to an end for the moment after the state House of Representatives then the state Senate voted to adopt tougher abortion regulations. Gov. Rick Perry promised to sign the bill into law soon.

Standing up with faith communities in support of migrants who cross the border illegally has long been an interreligious effort in southern Arizona. During a five-day Social Action Summer Institute at the University of Arizona in June, Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, Archbishop Jose Ulises Macias Salcedo of Hermosillo, Mexico, and current and former leaders of Protestant, Jewish and Episcopal congregations laid out what motivates their efforts and how their communities take on different aspects of aiding and advocating for immigrants.

Pope Francis offered prayers for the people touched by the tragic July 6 train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, said the Vatican secretary of state.

The Catholic Health Association said it would help its members implement the final rules on women's access to contraceptive coverage set by the federal Department of Health and Human Services using an accommodation as outlined by HHS for religious employers who are morally opposed to providing such coverage but are not exempted.

Before saying a word publicly, Pope Francis made the sign of the cross and tossed a wreath of white and yellow flowers into the Mediterranean Sea in memory of the estimated 20,000 African immigrants who have died in the past 25 years trying to reach a new life in Europe.

With retired Pope Benedict XVI sitting next to him, Pope Francis formally recited separate prayers to consecrate Vatican City to St. Joseph and to St. Michael the Archangel.

Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), released July 5, is the latest installment in a centuries' old papal tradition. An encyclical is considered the most authoritative form of papal writing, and though many examples are now remembered only by scholars, the messages of others have continued to resonate within the church and beyond.

Here at a glance are the main points of Pope Francis' encyclical "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), released July 5.

Here are excerpts from Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), released July 5.

Pope Francis' first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" ("The Light of Faith"), is a celebration of Christian faith as the guiding light of a "successful and fruitful life."