Study shows growing share of countries with high levels hostilities involving religion.

A Vatican study group is urging world leaders to stop the flow of arms into Syria and to press for an immediate and complete cease-fire there with no political preconditions."Political transformation is needed," a written statement said, but "it is not a precondition for ending violen

Cardinal-designate Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, hosted a lengthy meeting with his U.S. counterpart, John Kerry, to discuss ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as well as the U.S. bishops' concerns about the Obama administration's health care mandate."The meeting was very

On Jan. 13 Francis delivered his first annual address to the Vatican diplomatic corps.

At hearing, Catholic leaders call 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act' "long overdue."

Pope Francis named 19 new cardinals, including the archbishops of Westminster and Quebec and six men from his home region of Latin America, and announced a consistory for their formal induction into the College of Cardinals on Feb. 22. The selection of new cardinals does not include a prelate from t