For more than a year, he has faced questions about how he has addressed the clergy sex abuse crisis.

Archbishop William E. Lori called the meetings "providential."

Pope Francis has given a relic of Jesus' crib to the custody of the Franciscans in the Holy Land, who oversee the churches associated with Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

The bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey discussed sexual abuse with Pope Francis in a Thanksgiving Day meeting as part of their ad limina visit.

The pope also urged prayers for all those who endure persecution because of their faith today.

Arriving in Thailand after an 11-hour flight, Pope Francis was greeted by 11 children -- one for each of the country's dioceses.

"Together with you, I pray that the destructive power of nuclear weapons will never again be unleashed in human history."

When Pope Francis embarks on his apostolic trip to Thailand, he will have the assistance of a translator: his second cousin, a nun--who has worked as a missionary there for the last 50 years.

With rumors swirling around about two of their members, the bishops of New York state celebrated Mass at the tomb of St. Peter.

Charles Taylor is a philosopher who has focused much of his work on secularism; Father Paul Bere is known particularly for his contributions to developing an African theology.