Pope Benedict XVI
FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 file photo, President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, attend Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington. When U.S. Catholic bishops hold their next national meeting in June 2021, they’ll be deciding whether to send a tougher-than-ever message to President Joe Biden and other Catholic politicians: Don’t partake of Communion if you persist in public advocacy of abortion rights. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
US Catholic bishops may press Biden to stop taking Communion

By David Crary Apr. 28, 2021 11:58 AM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 file photo, President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, attend Mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington. When U.S. Catholic bishops hold their next national meeting in June 2021, they’ll be deciding whether to send a tougher-than-ever message to President Joe Biden and other Catholic politicians: Don’t partake of Communion if you persist in public advocacy of abortion rights. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
US Catholic bishops may press Biden to stop taking Communion

By David Crary Apr. 28, 2021 10:38 AM EDT

Today in History

By The Associated Press Apr. 24, 2021 12:00 AM EDT
Today in History Today is Saturday, April 24, the 114th day of 2021. There are 251 days left in the year. Today’s...

Today in History

By The Associated Press Feb. 13, 2021 12:00 AM EST
Today in History Today is Saturday, Feb. 13, the 44th day of 2021. There are 321 days left in the year. Today’s...

Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with members of religious institutions on the occasion of the celebration of the World Day of Consecrated Life, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, pool)
Pope seeks to encourage musicians silenced by coronavirus

Feb. 04, 2021 08:18 AM EST

FILE - In this December 2005 file photo, Rev. Robert Graetz, second from left, and wife, Jeannie, sing along with Gladys Williams, right, on the Cleveland Avenue bus, during the walk of remembrance to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Ala. Graetz, the only white minister to support the Montgomery bus boycott, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020. He was 92. (Karen S. Doerr/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
Religious leaders worldwide, across faiths who died in 2020

By David Crary Dec. 31, 2020 09:02 AM EST

Pope Francis celebrates Mass the day after he raised 13 new cardinals to the highest rank in the Catholic hierarchy, at St. Peter's Basilica, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, Pool)
Pope, with new cardinals, warns church against mediocrity

By Frances D'emilio Nov. 29, 2020 06:30 AM EST

Pope Francis attends a consistory ceremony where 13 bishops were elevated to a cardinal's rank in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. (Fabio Frustaci/POOL via AP)
Pope elevates 13 new cardinals then puts them in their place

By Nicole Winfield Nov. 28, 2020 09:50 AM EST

FILE - This Sunday, June 2, 2019, file photo shows Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory posed for a portrait following mass at St. Augustine Church in Washington. Pope Francis has named 13 new cardinals, including Washington D.C. Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who would become the first Black U.S. prelate to earn the coveted red cap. In a surprise announcement from his studio window to faithful standing below in St. Peter’s Square, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, Francis said the churchmen would be elevated to a cardinal’s rank in a ceremony on Nov. 28. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Pope names 13 new cardinals, including 1st Black US prelate

By Frances D'emilio Oct. 25, 2020 12:33 PM EDT

The Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin attends at the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Catholic missionaries in China from an Italian religious order meeting, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. The Vatican doubled down Saturday on its intent to pursue continued dialogue with China over bishop nominations, defending the deal as necessary to the life of the Catholic Church there over strong U.S. objections. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Vatican: Pope Benedict XVI approved bishop accord with China

By Nicole Winfield Oct. 03, 2020 05:44 AM EDT