Jerome Socolovsky

US Ambassador Fights for Religious Freedom for All People

Rabbi David Saperstein, U.S. ambassador at large for religious freedom, is the person in charge of putting together the State Department's annual religious freedom report. VOA's Jerome Socolovsky reports.

Merits of Religious Freedom Promotion Debated

Katrina Lantos Swett, chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, says societies that protect religious freedom tend to be more peaceful and prosperous. But some critics see a double standard at work in the U.S. efforts to ensure religious freedom abroad, and even supporters of such promotion admit that the results have been mixed. VOA's Jerome Socolovsky reports.

As US Preaches Religious Freedom Abroad, Critics See Hypocrisy

Some see annual State Department religious freedom report as giving hope to persecuted people; others say advocacy has become exercise in neocolonialism

Pope Winds Down US Tour With Philadelphia Mass

Open-air celebration concludes Vatican-sponsored World Meeting of Families; earlier, Francis vows church will 'zealously' protect youth from clergy sexual abuse

Pope Urges Hispanic Immigrants to Cling to Faith

Standing at birthplace of US, Pope Francis urged country’s immigrants – especially the largely Catholic Hispanic population - to overcome hardships of integration while clinging to their faith

Pope Urges Immigrants to Cling to Faith

Pope’s Outreach to Gays Doesn’t Change Traditional Catholic View of Family

A congress of Catholic families held once every three years in a different part of the world has concluded for the first time in the United States. The four-day World Meeting of Families wrapped up Friday in Philadelphia, a day before the arrival of Pope Francis. VOA's Jerome Socolovsky reports many of the 17,000 participants reaffirmed the church’s traditional conception of family based on heterosexual love - though not all agreed.

Pope’s Outreach to Gays Doesn’t Change Traditional Catholic Family View

Four-day World Meeting of Families wraps in Philadelphia - a day before Francis' arrival - and many of 17,000 participants reaffirm church’s traditional conception of family

Pope Angers Traditionalists With Interfaith Views

Aside from being first Latin American pontiff, Francis is really first one who has pastored extensively in multi-faith environment

Pope’s Nonjudgmental Approach Splits US Church

Francis, whose statements on issues from climate change to economic inequality have spiced up political debate in US, will find deep divisions among US followers over his outreach to gays, lesbians

Pope Francis’ Non-Judgmental Approach Splits US Church

Pope Francis’s statements on climate change, economic inequality and immigration have all spiced up the political debate in the United States. But when he arrives here on Sept. 22 for a five-day visit, he will find deep divisions within his church over the main message of his papacy. VOA religion correspondent Jerome Socolovsky reports from Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Prison Inmates Make Chair for Pope Francis

Pope Francis has been visiting prisons during his travels, and his trip later this month to the United States — which has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world — is no exception. He'll visit a Philadelphia prison complex where inmates are making a chair for him. VOA religion correspondent Jerome Socolovsky reports.

Philadelphia Prison Inmates Make Chair for Pope Francis

Pontiff will meet a group of about 100 inmates at the end of his five-day US tour

US Is 'Not Center of World' for Pope Francis, Author Says

But some key themes of his papacy do touch on America’s place in the world, and they're likely to be reflected in his upcoming US visit

Havana Sells US Diplomatic Ties as Victory

Dissidents say US should now do more to demand human rights reforms, help democracy take root

Havana Sells Diplomatic Ties as Victory for Cuban Socialism

Secretary of State John Kerry will raise the American flag over the US Embassy and meet with dissidents in Havana during a historic visit on Friday. Supporters of the Castro regime are presenting the restoration of diplomatic relations with Washington as a victory for Cuba. VOA’s Jerome Socolovsky reports.

Charleston Shooting Rekindles Gun Control Debate – With Racial Overtones

The killing of nine worshipers at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white gunman last month has rekindled the debate about gun control in America with a new element - race. VOA’s Jerome Socolovsky reports from a gun range near Charleston.

Charleston Shooting Rekindles Gun Debate – With Racial Overtones

After a white man gunned down nine African Americans in a South Carolina church, some are once again asking what the US can do to prevent gun violence

US Conservatives Criticize Pope’s View of Global Economy

They contend he's wrong for saying that globalization is hurting the poor and contributing to climate change

High School Videochats Try to Bridge Religious, Cultural Divides

Religious and cultural differences often add fuel to political conflicts around the world. Now, a foundation headed by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is helping high schools in a number of countries use videoconferencing to bridge those divides. VOA religion correspondent Jerome Socolovsky reports.