By and large, Latino Americans are Catholic; a majority of the 52 million Hispanics living in the United States belong to the Catholic Church. However, Cathedrals are emptying, and former occupants have taken to worshiping in mosques.
The scandals surrounding the prevalence of sex abuse in the Catholic Church have reached international proportions: the United Nations has slammed the Catholic Church -- and, specifically, the Vatican -- for its role in the cover-up of the sex abuse, and has called for the Holy See to remove all pedophiles from its rank and file.
He is against the idea of female priests but wants a larger role for women Historically, women have been shut out of the priesthood. This has translated into a lack of women in high positions, exhibiting a "glass ceiling" within the church.
Latinos are one of the fastest growing segments of internet users, which also happens to be predominantly Catholic. For Catholics, if there was any doubt that Pope Francis like the internet (he tweets from his account @Pontifex), there isn't now: Pope Francis has called the internet a "gift from God."
Archbishop and Papal Nuncio Jozef Wesolowski is the latest member of the Catholic faith to face allegations of child sexual abuse. Dominican Republic prosecutors investigating the former man of the cloth have concluded that he sexually abused at least five boys under the age of 15. Santo Domingo, the country's capital city, is where allegations first aired on a local program, stating that Wesolowski paid to have sex with minor boys.
"Resa por mi" (Pray for me), compassionate words spoken in Spanish by Pope Francis, otherwise known as El Papa Francisco, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Italian parents.
The new pope is making waves with his progressive stance on the future of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis hasn't had much time as the leader of the Catholic Church, but he is already stirring plenty of controversy.
Pope Francis begins a weeklong visit to Brazil today. The pontiff will visit churches and slums and hospitals in Rio de Janeiro and other parts of the country.
