From AP, CNS, RNS, Staff and other sources

A spokeswoman for the U.S. bishops’ pro-life office sees a positive trend in a new Pew survey that shows a shrinking majority in the support of the death penalty.

The biographer of Blessed John Paul II talks about how the Second Vatican Council shaped the future pope’s program for the church.

Catholics, aid workers, religious, survivors and Pope Francis commemorate the 20th anniversary of the start of the Rwandan genocide. Some of the images in this video are graphic.

Pope Francis met victims of human trafficking and senior police chiefs from 20 countries and praised their efforts to fight against a “crime against humanity.”

Pope Francis asked forgiveness for sexual abuse of children by priests.

The lone clerical abuse victim on a new papal commission calls the move important for the church.

Supporters and opponents of the contraceptive mandate let their voices be heard outside of the U.S.Supreme Court in Washington March 25.

Pope Francis discussed the vocation to the priesthood during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square March 26.

CNS Rome bureau chief Francis X. Rocca looks at the visit of U.S. President Barack Obama to the Vatican.