American Alan Gross has been released in an apparent exchange with Cuba that has allowed the United States to proceed with a historic normalization of relations with Cuba after decades of hostility suspicion and economic embargo that has previously been lamented by Vatican officials as unproductive

More than 85,000 people still live in dozens of tent camps in expansive earthquake zone.

The agreement reached at the end of the most recent round of international negotiations for a new climate-change treaty fails to protect the poorest and most vulnerable countries, Catholic observers said.The accord fell far short of a call from Catholic bishops from around the world to take strong m

Taliban attack has left at least 126 children and others dead and 250 injured.

Archbishop: Darkness of siege cannot overcome Christ's light

The apostolic visitation of U.S. communities of religious women, though initially met with some resistance, ended up promoting a greater sense of unity in the church and helped the women become more aware of how God is working in their lives, said the prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Co