For centuries, popes sponsored the work of artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael or Bernini, who went on to create some of their masterpieces within the very walls of the Vatican.
Yet over time, the marriage between art and faith grew stale -- the Vatican's culture minister even called it a "divorce" -- with the Roman Catholic church finding itself estranged from the art world it did so much to create.
Pope Francis was scheduled to help the Pontifical Mission Societies of the United States broaden its reach around the world by unlocking a smartphone app.
During an audience with national directors of pontifical mission societies from around the world, the pope was set to launch the organization's new Missio app from the Vatican on Friday, sending news and content in eight languages.
Film Review: The documentary, which premieres on PBS Monday night, offers a warning to women considering military service, Sr. Rose Pacatte says.
For centuries, she has appeared on medals, in paintings, been sculpted into statues, sung about and worshiped in prayer, making her the most iconic woman of all time. Now, in what must be her most unlikely appearance yet, Mary, traditionally considered to be the mother of God has become the star of a Broadway show.
“I was trying to bring the audience with me and see where it would go,” said Irish novelist Colm Tóibín, creator of this latest vision of Mary. “It’s not mockery. I’m serious. What I was trying to do was capture someone real.”
One of Mary's titles is "Christ's First Disciple," and some of Christ's earliest followers were women, two of whom he appeared to first after his resurrection.
Now, some 2,000 years later, another special group of women, specifically Catholic moms who blog on the Internet about their faith, the Catholic church, as well as the joys and challenges of parenthood and everyday family life, can be considered among Christ's newest evangelizers or "digital disciples."
"Midnight's Children"
Indian/Canadian director Deepa Mehta's cinematic interpretation of Salmon Rushdie's 1981 Booker Prize-winning novel "Midnight's Children" is a vibrant epic that spans about 30 years and has a cast of thousands.
Book review: Colm Tóibín has created a riveting portrayal of Mary, who is determined to tell the truth about her life.
In his newly published book, Notes From the Underground: The Spiritual Journal of a Secular Priest, Fr. Donald Cozzens commiserates with Catholics who simply cannot swallow the whole package of official church beliefs, doctrines, rules and regulations the hierarchy proposes as mandatory for all: dissent is not an option.
No sooner had Eric Andrews arrived on the set of “The Lost Valentine” when his neckwear attracted attention.
"Remember Sunday"
ABC, Hallmark Hall of Fame
Sunday, April 21, 8 p.m. EST (Check local listings)
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