Pope Francis told a group of U.S. bishops their job is to step back from partisan politics and help their faithful discern based on values.

This year, the Christian watchdog organization is highlighting the “rise of the surveillance state” and its impact on Christians and Muslims in China along with its 2019 World Watch List, released Wednesday (Jan. 15).

Fifty years after a Catholic lay group protested for the rights of Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles, the people who participated then reflect today on how far the Church still needs to go in pastoral outreach to the poor and disadvantaged.

In a separate proposed rule, the administration aims to protect the rights of religious student groups at public universities, giving them equal treatment with secular student groups.

The report, which had limited details, included allegations of sexual misconduct involving vulnerable adults or those younger than 18 and viewing child pornography.

Protecting human life is the "preeminent" social and political issue, Pope Francis said.