I know what you are thinking—a decadent spectacle of wealth, really, that’s what the church needs right now? But hear me out.

While Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s attendance attracted predictable outrage from her regular critics, she made the exact splash it seems she intended to make.

In his meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Pope Francis is not as likely to celebrate the Hungary-first tendencies of Mr. Orban and his ruling Fidesz Party.

Although Franciscan Father Mychal Judge’s religious order has not pushed the cause for his sainthood, organizations touched by his work with H.I.V./AIDS victims are now taking it up.

Pope Francis said he plans to make several papal trips before the end of the year, including to Scotland in early November to attend the U.N. Climate Change Conference.

America’s major religions and denominations, often divided on other big issues, have united behind the effort to help receive an influx of refugees from Afghanistan following the end of the United States’ longest war.

“A nurse, a man with great experience, saved my life,” Pope Francis revealed in the first interview he has given since the operation on his intestine July 4.

“I know that I live in safety. I know that I don’t have to worry about being kidnapped, being hurt; I don’t have to worry about being hit by an I.E.D.” Ahmad wishes that same security for his family and the people of Afghanistan.

Surrounded by other churches with huge congregations, Mother Teresa Catholic Church in Cary, N.C., remains intentionally small to more directly minister to its parishioners.

In Latin American immigrant communities, lay faith leaders adapt a ritual of mourning that builds community amid isolation.