“Pope Francis has changed church teaching about the death penalty, saying in a new policy published Thursday that it is always “inadmissible” because it “attacks” the inherent dignity of all humans. The Vatican said Francis had approved a change to…

“In a move seen as unprecedented, Pope Francis has effectively stripped U.S. prelate Theodore McCarrick of his cardinal’s title following allegations of sexual abuse, including one involving an 11-year-old boy. The Vatican announced Saturday that Francis ordered McCarrick to conduct a ‘life…

“At least seven people were still missing in Shasta County, California, as shifting winds, dry fuel and steep terrain helped the monstrous Carr Fire engulf almost 100,000 acres by Sunday night, [July 29,] authorities said.” The fire has claimed six…

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Lombok region of Indonesia at nearly 7 a.m. local time on July 28, 2018. At least 14 people were killed and 160+ injured. The death toll could rise. “There…

“Fireworks exploded over Paris, lighting up the Eiffel Tower. French citizens were celebrating the two-hundred and twenty-ninth anniversary of Bastille Day,” wrote Eric Metaxas, a popular conservative author, speaker and radio host, “a holiday recalling the storming of the Bastille…

Gale force winds fanned wildfires raging through tourist towns near the Greek capital Athens, killing more than 81 people and injuring nearly 190, [some seriously] in the country’s deadliest fire season in decades. Twenty-six bodies of families with small children,…

“Why, oh why, did the Founding Fathers want to separate church and state? It was originally intended that institutions of church (i.e., organized religions) and state be separated, while at the same time it was their intention to include God…

“Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Pope Francis and the Catholic Church have a “central role” in promoting religious liberty. “Pompeo was speaking to Vatican News when he said, “we think the Catholic Church can play an important role in the…

“Governments and central banks have moved swiftly in dozens of countries to start eliminating cash. Some key examples of this are Australia, Singapore, Venezuela, the U.S., and the European Central Bank have all eliminated (or have proposed to eliminate) high…

“The confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court represents a huge political victory for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who gambled on blocking the nomination of Merrick Garland in the hopes of a [Republican] electoral victory” in which…

“President Donald Trump announced [that] he is nominating Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created when Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement June 27. “In a brief speech after the announcement, Kavanaugh spoke about the…

“The Episcopal Church’s General Convention passed a resolution… that expanded the right for gay couples to marry in all dioceses even where local bishops theologically object to same-sex marriage. At its triennial convention in Austin, Texas, the Episcopal Church’s House…