Sidestepping reservations individual party members must have about being associated with the pomp and ceremony of a very anti-republican spectacle, Sinn Féin hopes to demonstrate diplomatic gravitas and a mature capacity to lead all Ireland.

Weddings historically had served as an opportunity to “evangelize and re-engage” young couples, but that chance was being lost when brides and grooms bypass the church altogether when planning their ceremony.

While the Diocese of Providence flies relatively under the radar, it gained national attention in recent years in part because of the outspokenness of its outgoing bishop, Thomas Tobin.

“She would be happy about having a ferry named after her,” said Robert Steed, a former Catholic Worker and editor of The Catholic Worker newspaper, adding, “maybe even more so than being canonized.”

Francis' visit to Hungary is bringing him as close as he's come to the front lines of the war.

A ruling against the DACA program could mean that after years of personal and civic struggle, Dreamers would once again face the possibility of deportation.