In a speech before a joint meeting of Congress, the Catholic Church leader offered words threaded heavily with politics. For analysis, Renee Montagne speaks with NPR's Don Gonyea.

Source: In Speech On The Hill, Pope's Remarks To Congress Send A Message (Or 3) : NPR

The opening is a singular event for the city, where attacks by Muslim extremists have generated a wave of animosity toward the faith that has never entirely ebbed.

Source: Putin Opens Moscow’s Most Elaborate Mosque - The New York Times

When Boy Scouts of America dropped its ban on gay adults serving as volunteers, the decision was met with resistance in Utah — led by the Mormon church. But one troop adapted to the change.

Source: In Salt Lake City, A Boy Scout Troop That Welcomes Gay Parents : NPR

The popular pope has challenged U.S. political orthodoxy — on both sides of the aisle.

Source: How Pope Francis Clashes With Both Democrats And Republicans, In 1 Graphic : It's All Politics : NPR

The Catholic Church in the U.S. has been aging, along with its dwindling priestly ranks. But in the increasingly secular world, there's been a recent uptick in younger men studying to become priests.

Source: At U.S. Seminaries, A Rise In Millennials Answering God's Call : NPR

Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader with a lifetime of memories of meeting popes, says Republicans are mistaken to mix politics with Francis’s visit.

Source: In Pelosi, Strong Catholic Faith and Abortion Rights Coexist - The New York Times

The arrival of Pope Francis has triggered discussions of the Catholic Church's historic treatment of the African-American faithful, and has sparked hopes for a better future.

Source: Pope Francis Inspires Black Catholics, Despite Complicated Church History On Race : Code Switch : NPR

Pope Francis arrives in the US on Tuesday, September 22nd, for five busy days in Washington, New York, and Philadelphia. Managing editor Kim Lawton asks American Catholics about the beliefs that shape the Pope's view of the world, and Stephen Schneck and Tom Roberts joins host Bob Abernethy in the studio for a conversation about their expectations for the pope's trip. More →

Source: Pope Francis in the U.S. | September 18, 2015 | Religion & Ethics...

Father Manuel Dorantes of the Church of the Immaculate Heart in Chicago tells NPR's Linda Wertheimer what his mainly poor, Latino parishioners hope to hear from Pope Francis on his U.S. visit.

Source: Latino Chicago Parishioners Hold High Hopes For The Pope's Visit

Francis has a full schedule, which includes a meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana and President Obama in Washington, D.C., where he will also address a joint meeting of Congress.

Source: Pope's Itinerary For Visits To Cuba, U.S. : The Two-Way : NPR

Nihad Awad, CAIR's president and founder, said Carson was "unfit to lead." Carson's view that a Muslim should not be president is inconsistent with the Constitution, Awad said.

Source: Council On American-Islamic Relations: Ben Carson Should Quit Presidential Race : The Two-Way : NPR

Demonstrators organized by the NAACP marched from Selma, Alabama to Washington, DC to demand an end to discrimination and economic inequality.

Source: America's Journey for Justice | September 18, 2015 | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly | PBS

Production companies helping orchestrate the planning of Pope Francis’s visit have to balance the needs of bishops, pop stars, politicians and a million pilgrims.

Source: In Philadelphia, Putting on a Show for a Holy Headliner - The New York Times

Pope Francis arrives in the United States next week. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli offers this preview of what to expect from the first Latin American pope with a global south perspective.

Source: What Should Americans Expect To Hear From The Pope?

NEW YORK (Reuters) Catholic gay rights leaders hope a low-key approach will improve relations with the Roman Catholic Church without offending Pope Francis.

Source: Gay US Catholics will greet pope with rainbow rosaries, not protests - Religion News Service