National News

Texas parish thrilled to talk with pope in virtual town hall

Pope Francis spoke with groups of people in three U.S. states from the Vatican, moderated by ABC News. The event will air on "20/20" on Friday, Sept. 4 from 10 to 11 p.m.

Observers expect Pope Francis to affirm and challenge politicians during visit

The improbability of a pope standing before a joint meeting of Congress comes in an era of wider acceptance of the Catholic faith as it intersects with public life and U.S. politics, and indicates a comfort level between the two that wouldn't have been imaginable several decades ago, observers said.

In an era of fewer priests, some Catholic parishes are run by women

Growing up in Bermuda in an Anglican family, Cambria Smith Tortorelli was an unlikely choice to lead a Catholic parish in Southern California. See our American Parish series.

As priests become fewer, distances they travel to minister grow longer

Priests in Alaska travel by plane and boat to celebrate Mass in one diocese that is larger than 22 U.S. states. On average there is now less than one priest per parish nationwide. See our American Parish series.

How a Wisconsin town transforms its notion of parish

A decade ago all six parishes closed and a new city-wide parish replaced them with multiple worship sites. It is one of the new models of parish management -- see the American Parish series.

Veteran Dodgers’ broadcaster suggests retirement after 2016 season

The beloved 87-year-old broadcaster --- once voted by fans as the "Most Popular Dodger" of all -- said Aug. 28 he will return for one more season, but on Aug. 29 told a news conference at Dodger Stadium that "realistically, next year will be the last one.

Discovery of refugee bodies should awaken Europe, says Vienna cardinal

Austrian church leaders, reacting to the finding of 59 dead refugees on a truck including women and children, said they hoped it would highlight the plight of migrants.

Chinese American Catholics help needy people see

Dr. Kelly Kao left her big salary as an optometrist and Google Glass researcher to start a group that is bringing eyeglasses and vision care to people in California and the Far East.

Parish diversity reflects the changing nature of U.S. society

Parishes with people predominantly of European descent, once typical, have become places where immigrants from Africa, Mexico, Central America and Asia have increasingly felt at home.

New ‘Catholic Values’ stock fund comes in for scrutiny

The new Catholic Values stock fund has come under scrutiny from those who say its values need to adhere more closely to environmental concerns, such as those Pope Francis recently raised in his encyclical, 'Laudato Si.'