Pope Francis

February 08, 2018

Pope Francis appears to be eager to make a historic compromise with the Chinese government for the sake of Chinese Catholics. His critics worry that he’s making a huge mistake.

Conflict

The pope may not use the term ‘Rohingya’ during his trip to Myanmar. Here's why.

November 27, 2017

Pope Francis arrived in Yangon, Myanmar on Monday. The UN and the US have accused the country of ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims, and the question on many peoples' minds is whether the pope will use the term "Rohingya" to describe the group.

Economics

Trump berates NATO allies for not doing enough on terror, immigration and Russia

Agence France-Presse

May 25, 2017

The US president, who previously described NATO as "obsolete," also stopped short of a public commitment to collective defense that his allies had hoped for.

Religion

President Trump and Pope Francis are polar opposites, but ...

May 23, 2017

In style and substance, Donald Trump and Pope Francis are different world leaders. But when the two men meet this week, there might be more common ground than you think.

Global Politics

Donald Trump's first foreign trip is a lot like a pilgrimage. And that's the point.

May 19, 2017

President Trump is using his first trip abroad to touch base with three major religious centers — in Saudi Arabia, Jerusalem and Vatican City.

Justice

The Egyptian ruler Trump calls 'fantastic' is now strengthening his power over the courts

GlobalPost

May 09, 2017

Updated

05/15/2017 - 1:15pm

Weeks after Donald Trump welcomed him to the White House and praised his good work, Egypt's Abdul Fattah al-Sisi quietly gave himself new powers that judges and rights groups say threaten whatever Egyptian court independence remains.

Justice

The Vatican is 'all words, no action' on addressing child sex abuse

March 16, 2017

Marie Collins was sexually abused as a child by a Catholic priest in Ireland. In 2014, she joined the Vatican's commission for the protection of minors, hoping to help make changes. Now, she has resigned in frustration.

Global Politics

All priests may forgive 'sin' of abortion, Pope Francis says

Agence France-Presse

November 21, 2016

The pope's declaration makes permanent a temporary measure put in place for the Vatican's jubilee year.

Belief

'If we don't care for it, the vitality of the Earth will be destroyed'

Living on Earth

September 04, 2016

Pope Francis' environmental encyclical, Laudato Si, inspired a global conversation about the moral dimensions of climate change. Even before this, however, some lesser-known religious leaders, like Father Albert Fritsch, had been trying to bring this message to their parishioners and the world.

Pages

A bishop who likes luxury is getting called on the carpet in Vatican City

October 14, 2013

A German Bishop is leading a lavish lifestyle and spent $42 million on his residence. That's not going down well with a new pope who is living in a guest house and driving a battered car.

Caught in a bad romance?

December 03, 2013

Poor Ukraine is caught between two lovers as its president searches for a happy end to this love triangle. Amazon's cute little PrimeAir drone, delivering packages like a stork delivers babies, has about the same level of reality. And we explore the many faces of yoga, in today's edition of the Global Scan.

The wrong way to nurture a new country

January 13, 2014

The situation in Sudan continues to spiral out of control. In Afghanistan, a family decided to try and make the 10-year-old girl a suicide bomber. And liberal Catholics may be disappointed the more they consider the political leanings of the current pope. In this edition of the Global Scan, everyone is taking sides.

New evidence suggests systematic torture by Syria's government

January 21, 2014

New images and reports have surfaced of wholesale torture and starvation on the part of the Syrian regime, just as peace talks to end the war are set to start on Wednesday. On the US west coast, scientists dispel fears that Pacific Ocean fish are contaminated with Fukushima radiation. And side-by-side men's toilets at an Olympic venue have become a social media joke. That and more, in today's Global Scan.

Is the Russian bear awakening?

January 27, 2014

Rumors of possible Russian intervention abound as protests in the Ukraine escalate. And even the Pope's weekend prayer for peace in the country ended in an ominous sign. Working-class stiffs in the Republic of Congo show that style isn't exclusive to the rich. And a New Zealand doc doesn't let a shark attack ruin his day, in today's Global Scan.

The UN criticizes the Vatican over its handling of child abuse cases

February 05, 2014

The UN has published a scathing report that criticizes the Vatican's handling of child abuse cases.

Iranians build an American aircraft carrier, sort of

March 21, 2014

Is Iran expecting relations with the US to go south again? US officials say Iran is building a replica of the aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz — seemingly as a propaganda ploy. An imam who spoke for al-Qaeda after 9/11 says he became the terrorist organization's spokesman by accident. And the pope breaks with Italy's mafia, in today's Global Scan.

Obama's visit to the pope was about more than just politics

March 27, 2014

President Barack Obama met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday. Both sides described the meeting as cordial, and Obama professed himself a "great admirer" of the new pontiff. Despite the bonhomie, there are issues that divide the two men.

Pope Francis led this Argentine to embrace his faith once more

March 27, 2014

There is little doubt the new Catholic leader is changing the church's image around the world. For one Argentine says the Pope has changed his faith.