As the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's 95 Theses approaches, an exhibit shows how Luther's treatise against the Catholic Church spread, before the advent of modern communications.
Martin Luther created one of Christianity's greatest rifts when he denounced the Catholic Church in 1517. But Pope Francis is taking part in the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
New guidelines from the Roman Catholic Church note that the practice of cremation is increasing and recommend that ashes be buried in "cemeteries and other sacred places."
Tim Kaine has worn many hats in Virginia politics: Richmond mayor, governor, senator. He's also a recognizable face at a majority-black Catholic church in Richmond — and has been for 30 years.
Aboard a flight from Armenia, the pontiff said the Church owes an apology not only to gay people, but also to other marginalized groups. "We Christians must say we are sorry," he said.
Pope Francis broke a Catholic Church taboo last month when he said he would create a commission to study whether women can serve as deacons — as they did in early Christianity.
The move has drawn criticism from Mexico's Catholic Church. But the church's opposition may not be much of an obstacle for Enrique Peña Nieto as he seeks the votes needed to amend the constitution.
The pontiff says he is willing to create a commission on the issue. It could signal a turning point for the Roman Catholic Church, which does not allow women to serve in ordained ministry.
The country's Parliament passed the bill despite opposition from the Catholic Church and conservative politicians. Rights advocates hailed the vote, but many hoped the legislation would go further.
On Friday, Pope Francis announced that the Catholic Church should work with couples to determine the best choices for them. He spoke of prioritizing individual conscience on contraception, too.
Three retired leaders of the Franciscan religious order have been charged with with conspiracy and child endangerment for allowing a friar who was a known sexual predator to work in schools.
The split dates from when Christianity first spread through the Roman Empire. Friday's meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill is the culmination of longstanding efforts to promote dialogue.
Vespers were held in the royal chapel of Hampton Court Palace, one of Henry VIII's residences, on Tuesday. Henry, of course, famously broke with the Catholic Church in the 16th century.
The pontiff's six-day visit to the U.S. came to an end at Philadelphia International Airport, where he met Vice President Biden and delivered a brief farewell to the American cities that hosted him.
The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been aging, along with its dwindling priestly ranks. But in the increasingly secular world, there's been a recent uptick in younger men studying to become priests.
The arrival of Pope Francis has triggered discussions of the Catholic Church's historic treatment of the African-American faithful, and has sparked hopes for a better future.
Francis has a full schedule, which includes a meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana and President Obama in Washington, D.C., where he will also address a joint meeting of Congress.
Caryl Johnson calls herself a priest but technically she was excommunicated after being ordained. Johnson is one of many many Catholic women who see a gap between what they believe and church dogma.
Pope Francis is set to visit a Catholic school in New York City that used to have a sponsoring church. The parish was closed in 2007 in a region that has been a traditional Catholic stronghold.
