Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis has constantly looked to the peripheries both in the choice of countries to visit and men to make cardinals.. And he has consistently looked to the East where he detects the first signs of a new springtime for the Catholic Church

Among the hundreds of onlookers from several countries at the back of the square were many Catholics from mainland China, present in defiance of an order from the authorities in Beijing prohibiting not only the bishops of mainland China but also the country’s Catholics from traveling to Mongolia.

Election results could indicate the populist Islamism promoted by President Erdogan may be losing its appeal.

Pope Francis greets Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the meeting of St. Paul VI and Pope Shenouda III.

John Moffitt, the longtime poetry editor of 'America,' met Thomas Merton the week Merton died, and wrote of the account for 'America.'

Francis X. Clooney, S.J., offers reflections in this 1986 article on the life and message of Sri Ramakrishna on the 150th anniversary of his birth (February 18) and the 100th anniversary of his death (August 15).