Vatican Rules Out Kennedy as Ambassador

(NEWSER) - President Obama told Pope Benedict XVI yesterday that he would make every effort to reduce the number of abortions in the US, according to a Vatican spokesman. Bioethics and life issues were the focus of the men's 40-minute talk yesterday. The pontiff gave the president a booklet explaining the church's opposition to abortion and stem cell research, Reuters reports. More»

Decisions on abortion, stem cell research swell ranks of activists

(NEWSER) - President Obama’s 12 weeks in office have seen a huge surge in membership and activity in the pro-life movement, reports Politico. Groups say that while they knew before he took office the president supported abortion rights, the speed with which he has moved to repeal Bush-era rules on abortion and stem-cell research has spurred them to mobilize. More»

Anti-abortion Dem answers critics of his reform vote

(NEWSER) - The health-care bill passed this week is plenty pro-life for Bart Stupak, the anti-abortion Democrat whose amendment didn’t make the final cut but who wrangled an executive order out of President Obama that carries “the full force and effect of law” in prohibiting federal funding for abortion. In a Washington Post op-ed , the Michigander further blasts conservatives for rallying, unbidden, behind him, using abortion as merely a pretense for defeating health reform. More»

High-profile Cuban native would be first Hispanic to hold post

(NEWSER) - President Obama has nominated a Minnesota theologian as his Vatican ambassador, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Miguel Diaz, 45, a Cuban-born professor who would be the first Hispanic US envoy to the Vatican, was an Obama campaign adviser. He was chosen after the Vatican reportedly rejected a series of possible nominees, including Caroline Kennedy, who support abortion rights, AFP adds. More»

She's a rumored candidate for ambassador to the Holy See

(NEWSER) - Caroline Kennedy can’t seem to catch a break. The onetime Senate aspirant is being called a “mistake” for ambassador to the Vatican. “It’s essential that the person who represents us to the Holy See be a person who has pro-life values,” Raymond Flynn, who held the post under President Clinton, tells the Boston Herald. Italian media has reported that Sen. John Kerry is touting Kennedy for the job. More»