Religion and Faith

Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass praying for world peace and urging a diplomatic solution to the standoff on the Korean peninsula. Only two weeks after his election, the first pope from the developing world continues to make his mark on the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass praying for world peace and urging a diplomatic solution to the standoff on the Korean peninsula. Only two weeks after his election, the first pope from the developing world continues to make his mark on the Catholic Church.
Shroud of Turin goes on display amid new research
The Shroud of Turin went on display for a special TV appearance Saturday amid new research disputing claims it's a medieval fake and purporting to date the linen some say was Jesus' burial cloth to around the time of his death.
America Abroad: Religious minorities in the Middle East
The Middle East is largely Muslim but it's also the birthplace of Christianity, Judaism and many other religions. This edition of America Abroad is a discussion about Christian communities in Egypt, Jews in Tunisia, Alawi's in Syria and the declining religious diversity in the Middle East.
Francis made strong critique of church at conclave, Cardinal says
Pope Francis issued a strong critique of the church before the College of Cardinals just hours before it selected him as the new pontiff, according to comments published Tuesday by a Roman Catholic magazine in Cuba.
Karen Armstrong speaks on the world's religions and our global responsibilities
Acclaimed British comparative religion writer Karen Armstrong gives a 2012 Chautauqua Lecture about the long and sometimes violent path to modernization and democracy. She says the "Golden Rule" is embedded in all of the world's major faiths, and we all must feel responsibility for the pain of other human beings throughout the world.
At installation Mass, Pope Francis urges protection of nature, the poor and weak
Pope Francis urged princes, presidents, sheiks and thousands of ordinary people gathered for his installation Mass on Tuesday to protect the environment, the weakest and the poorest, mapping out a clear focus of his priorities as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics
Minneapolis Basilica celebrates Mass, special ties to new Pope Francis
The Basilica was decked out in papal colors, gold and white bunting hung from the entrance, and a flag with the pope's coat of arms was displayed near the pulpit.
New pope's views bind simplicity with 'complexity'
Twin messages are now expected to frame the beginning of the papacy of Pope Francis: Reinforcing the Vatican's views on issues such as birth control and women's ordination, yet showing an activist streak toward poverty and international debt.
Photos: Mpls. Basilica honors Pope Francis I with celebratory Mass
The Basilica of Saint Mary on the edge of downtown Minneapolis held a celebratory Mass Thursday in honor of the new pope, Francis I.