Pope Francis promotes a Catholic-Muslim boxing match -- in Vegas?
(RNS) How did this get through the blanket coverage of all things Pope Francis? Is it even true? Vatican media reported it will happen on May 7. Paging Don King?
Pope Francis enlists Virgin Mary in Vatican 'silencing' campaign
(RNS) Can Our Lady of the Shush get the Roman Curia to stop gossiping?
Beer and Gregorian chant: These Benedictine monks have it all, and now you can, too!
(RNS) If you loved the music of the Benedictine monks of Norcia in Italy -- and the Billboard charts say millions do -- then you'll love their beer, now available for purchase in the U.S.
Will an old tweet hurt Donald Trump with Catholic voters?
(RNS) A 2011 rip from the spokeswoman of the leading GOP contender is starting to get some pushback-- but that may not hurt Trump, at least in the early nominating states that have fewer Catholic voters.
WATCH: David Bowie as Pontius Pilate
(RNS) How could I have forgotten that Ziggy Stardust also played Pontius Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ."
Top Vatican official extends his eulogy for David Bowie
(RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi expands on his Twitter encomium of the man whose voice could "make the souls of all those with a restless conscience vibrate" while another priest begs to differ.
The State of the Union is a morality play
(RNS) If Capitol Hill were a bar, tonight's guest list for the State of the Union address might sound like the start of a joke. But there's a serious message.
Saint David Bowie? Not yet, but faith leaders pay respects to dead rocker
(RNS) As they should, given the sense of spiritual searching that led Bowie through every tradition and philosophy, and even a "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby. So where did he end up?
TRAILER UPDATE: Jon Snow's 'resurrection' awaits! Will 'Game of Thrones' co-opt Easter?
(RNS) The last hero standing in the popular fantasy series was cut down end of last season. But will he return next spring? And as a Jesus-like messianic figure -- or just another White Walker?
Archbishop Charles Chaput: Synod document 'engenders a subtle hopelessness'
(RNS) The Philadelphia churchman is known as a staunch conservative, and as someone who may not see eye to eye with Francis on the church's approach to the world. Here is the text of his speech today to the synod.
Is Pope Francis changing church teachings before our eyes?
(RNS) With comments to Congress on abolishing the death penalty and by declaring a “right of the environment" at the United Nations, the pontiff may be pushing the envelope on Catholic doctrine -- not that anyone will admit it.
Pope Francis to Congress: 'Purify' capitalism, embrace immigrants
(RNS) “Pope Francis will clarify that he never said he wants to abolish the market, but that he said the market needs a purification," according to a Vatican official who has seen earlier drafts of the highly-anticipated talk.
Conservatives outraged at gays on White House guest list for Pope Francis! (Vatican, not so much)
(RNS) Looks like American conservatives and Obama critics are more upset than anyone else. "I would love to visit and talk to gay and lesbian people," Francis said recently.
Pope Francis eyes a bargain, buys new glasses in Roman outing
(RNS) The "pope of surprises" went eyeglass shopping in downtown Rome, giving passersby the selfie of a lifetime -- but telling the shop owner he only wanted new lenses, the old frames are fine. Maybe he needs to sharpen his vision ahead of his U.S. trip?
Pope Francis meets 'Red Cleric' who was exiled by Pope John Paul II
(RNS) The encounter may spark another round of heated speculation about what it signals about Francis’ intentions – a change in church policy or doctrine? Or nothing more than an act of kindness toward an aging rebel who continues to bless divorced and gay couples and others on the church's margins?