Pope Francis Met Privately With Kim Davis and Encouraged Her to “Stay Strong”  —  Washington, DC - Media is buzzing about the Pope's comments in support of conscientious objection and whether he knows about the Rowan County, Kentucky, Clerk of Court who was jailed for six days for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Pope Francis Met With Kim Davis: What Does It Mean?  —  The pope has left the United States, but details are still coming out about his trip.  Here's a big one: Last Thursday afternoon, during his time in Washington, D.C., he met with Kim Davis, the Rowan County clerk who has refused to perform same-sex marriages, her lawyers say.

Paul on Cruz: He's pretty much done for in the Senate  —  Rand Paul on Tuesday had a blunt message for his presidential rival and fellow Republican senator Ted Cruz: You're a hack.  —  In no uncertain terms, Paul called out Cruz for trying — and failing — to disrupt GOP leadership's efforts …

‘They are ready’  —  Russian airstrikes in Syria could happen at any time, a U.S. official with knowledge of the latest intelligence told CNN this week.  —  “They could start at any moment,” the official said.  “They are ready.”  —  After several days of Russian familiarization flights …

Boehner secretly urged Gowdy to run for leader  —  The previously undisclosed meeting reveals new behind-the-scenes involvement by the exiting speaker.  —  Speaker John Boehner secretly met with Rep. Trey Gowdy Tuesday to encourage him to jump into the race for House majority leader …