John Allen

Pope Francis delivers a "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and world) message from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Christmas Day of 2014.

Pope Francis was a huge story in 2014, but a veteran Vatican reporter says the media got a lot wrong

John Allen of the Boston Globe usually sits down at the end of the year to write something about the biggest uncovered Catholic stories from the past 12 months. But the longtime Vatican correspondent says he didn’t need to this year, thanks to a news media sensation focused on Pope Francis.

Pope Francis was a huge story in 2014, but a veteran Vatican reporter says the media got a lot wrong
An Iraqi Christian man from Mosul, who fled from violence in northern Iraq, reads a book at the Latin Patriarchate Church in Amman, Jordan, on August 21, 2014.

On Christmas, some of the oldest Christian communities on Earth are on the run

On Christmas, some of the oldest Christian communities on Earth are on the run
People in the Syrian city of Tabqa toured the streets in celebration after Islamic State militants took over a government air base nearby on August 24, 2014.

Washington is talking tough on ISIS, but its plans for intervention don't seem to measure up

Washington is talking tough on ISIS, but its plans for intervention don't seem to measure up
A bronze statue inside the Vatican of the late Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005 and became a saint on April 27, 2014.

Want to become a saint without dying for the cause? It's not easy

Want to become a saint without dying for the cause? It's not easy

Former Ambassador Ryan Crocker's Personal Take on Serving the United States in Conflict Zones

Former Ambassador Ryan Crocker's Personal Take on Serving the United States in Conflict Zones
The World

Afghanistan: White House Signals Rapid Withdrawal, Reassures Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Washington this week for talks with President Barack Obama over the future of his country once the US and NATO pull out most of their troops by the end of 2014.

Afghanistan: White House Signals Rapid Withdrawal, Reassures Karzai

Despite Resigning, Petraeus Will Testify on Benghazi

Despite Resigning, Petraeus Will Testify on Benghazi
The World

Afghans Shocked by Scandals Among US Generals

The US commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen, is under investigation for inappropriate communications with a Florida woman. The scandals are leaving many in Afghanistan with concerns. Anchor Marco Werman hears from the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul.

Afghans Shocked by Scandals Among US Generals

The New Top Commander in Afghanistan

Even before the Petraeus scandal widened, General John Allen's time as top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan was winding down. Last month, President Obama nominated General Joseph Dunford to replace Allen.

The New Top Commander in Afghanistan

Petraeus Scandal Expands

Petraeus Scandal Expands

Petraeus Scandal Reveals Limits of Email Privacy

The Petraeus scandal offers insights into the security of online communication and the media's access to military officials, says Zeynep Tufekci a visiting scholar at Princeton University's Center for Information Technology Policy.

Petraeus Scandal Reveals Limits of Email Privacy

Underlying cause of Afghan green-on-blue attacks may be more complex

U.S. officials are trying to come to terms with the rise in so-called green-on-blue, Afghan on NATO, attacks lately. Some experts suspect a rise in PTSD among Afghan soldiers may be a cause of the violence.

Underlying cause of Afghan green-on-blue attacks may be more complex
The World

Green on Blue Attacks on the Rise in Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Panetta spoke Wednesday about tensions in Afghanistan. He touched on the issue of attacks by Afghan soldiers on coalition soldiers: so-called Green on Blue attacks.

Green on Blue Attacks on the Rise in Afghanistan
The World

Pope's Butler to Stand Trial in Vatican Document Scandal

A Vatican judge ordered Pope Benedict's personal butler and another man to stand trial.

Pope's Butler to Stand Trial in Vatican Document Scandal

American nuns reprimanded by Vatican for 'radical feminist views'

The Vatican reprimanded the largest group of Catholic nuns in the United States two weeks ago for promoting "radical feminist themes." The reprimand was issued after a two-year investigation. The church has appointed an archbishop to oversee reform of the group, but many Catholics have come out in support of the American nun group.

American nuns reprimanded by Vatican for 'radical feminist views'