Jerusalem: President Donald Trump's speech at the Israel Museum May 23 put extra emphasis on spiritual themes, but experts are skeptical that Trump will be able to translate his lofty statements into concrete action.
Eco Catholic: The two world leaders have near-polar-opposite viewpoints on a number of issues. Francis' and Trump's past words offer insight on what a climate conversation might entail.
Fordham University hosted a panel discussion about religious freedom. Speakers invoked the need for dialogue and the avoidance of stereotypes — and to not let extremists dominate the debate.
Tens of thousands of Haitians enrolled under the Temporary Protected Status program can stay in the United States until at least January.
Distinctly Catholic: As President Donald Trump continued his first trip abroad, it is hard to imagine two countries less alike than Saudi Arabia and Israel, but they do share enmity against Iran.
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, based in Des Moines, has announced plans to close four of its 12 clinics in Iowa -- three in the Diocese of Davenport and one in the Diocese of Sioux City.
The clinics in Burlington, Keokuk and Sioux City will close effective June 30. The fourth clinic, in Bettendorf, will close later, according to news sources.
In April, the Iowa Legislature changed the current Medicaid family planning waiver program to prevent reimbursement of abortion providers, which includes Planned Parenthood. The new rule takes effect July 1.
Reinstatement of the "Mexico City Policy," as provided for in President Donald Trump's Jan. 23 executive memorandum, took effect May 15.
"(It) ensures that U.S. taxpayers will no longer subsidize foreign nongovernmental organizations that perform or promote abortion on demand," said the co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus.
Trump's memorandum also expanded the policy, now called "Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance," according to Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, who is the caucus co-chair.
From Where I Stand: The two major political parties' leaders should have refused a move as dangerous to the country's democratic integrity as the "nuclear option." They failed.
Distinctly Catholic: The verdict on Trump's first visit to a foreign country is mixed, but the bar is pretty low here, of course. Still, I am glad he cleared it.
Jerusalem — Plans for the U.S. president's May 22-23 visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories shift, and no one can predict what Trump may say or do while there.
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