WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Radio Boston Blog Boston Weather Climate Connections BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a News Tip RSS Feeds Podcasts Pope Will Skip Boston in US Visit By Bob Oakes Listen to story (Real Audio) Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's square at the Vatican. (AP) BOSTON, Mass - November 13, 2007 - Pope Benedict's first papal visit to the United States in the spring will not include a stop in Boston. It's a blow the Archdiocese of Boston, which had asked the Pope to visit to help celebrate its 200th anniversary. The Vatican says Benedict will instead stop in Washington and New York in April. His itinerary includes trips to the White House, ground zero in lower Manhattan, and a major address to the United Nations. Joining us to discuss the Pope's decision is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn.    From The WBUR Newsroom Loan Forgiveness Program a Success BOSTON (May 12, 2008) A loan forgiveness program has attracted 47 doctors and nurse practitioners in its first year. Profiles in Courage Awards BOSTON (May 12, 2008) The Secretaries of State from Ohio and California are the Kennedy Library's Profile in Courage Award winners. Doctor's 'Life in the Balance' BOSTON, Mass. (May 12, 2008) We speak with a prominent Boston area cardiologist who's now coping with Parkinson's disease. Dr. Thomas Graboys has written a candid book to help others cope. Victims Await Vatican Response BOSTON, Mass. (May 12, 2008) A month after meeting with the Pope, local victims of clergy sex abuse watch for signs of change in how the Vatican handles the issue.