Religion
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates
Since 1954, an IRS rule had barred houses of worship from explicitly endorsing political candidates.
Pope Leo’s scandal-plagued hometown sees a bright future in buying his childhood home
Pope Leo grew up in a small brick house in the Chicago suburb of Dolton which is now up for auction. The village's board of trustees voted to buy it, in the hopes of creating a historic attraction.
The Dalai Lama announces plans for a successor, signaling China won’t have a say
The Dalai Lama said he will be reincarnated after he dies, and no one can interfere with the matter of succession. The Chinese government, however, claims authority over the his succession.
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at age 90
Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most well-known televangelists of the 1980s, has died, according to a social media post from his ministry.
Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments in classrooms
The ruling marked a win for civil liberties groups who say the mandate violates the separation of church and state, and that displays would isolate students — especially those who are not Christian.
10 years after the deadly church shooting, a new history of ‘Mother Emanuel’
Reporter Kevin Sack's new book is a history of Charleston's Emanuel AME Church, the oldest Black congregation in the South, where a white supremacist killed nine worshippers a decade ago.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, Pew study says
The Pew report reveals how religious disaffiliation and population growth have influenced the global religious landscape.
Pope Leo criticizes political nationalism and prays for reconciliation and dialogue
The pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in front of tens of thousands faithful, and asked the Holy Spirit to "break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred."
Run For Their Lives, the group targeted in the Colorado attack, is figuring out how to continue its mission
Sunday's attack in Boulder targeted a group called Run for Their Lives, which raises awareness about the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Now, they're figuring out how to move on.
‘I am Roman,’ Pope Leo says, as he becomes the bishop of Rome
The bishop of Rome is one of many titles held by the pope. Duties related to the title are usually delegated to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, known as a vicar.
New Orleans Archdiocese agrees to pay nearly $180M to victims of clergy sexual abuse
Lawyers for survivors said they won't support the agreement, which they say was negotiated behind closed doors.
Pope Leo meets with Vance, who delivers an invitation to visit the White House
The meeting appeared part of an effort to reset relations with the Vatican after Pope Francis repeatedly criticized President Trump's migration policy. Vance also gave Pope Leo a Chicago Bears jersey.
Losing faith: Rural religious colleges are among the most endangered
Some religious colleges and universities are cutting programs. Others are seeking mergers to reduce costs and expand offerings.
Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day
Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.
Zelenskyy asks for Pope Leo XIV’s help in bringing Ukrainian children home from Russia
Pope Leo XIV and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy spoke by phone recently, according to the Vatican.
Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners, citing moral opposition
The church said it's terminating a decades-long partnership with the federal government to help refugees arriving in the U.S., citing moral opposition to resettling white Afrikaners from South Africa.
Danny McBride sends a love letter to the South with ‘The Righteous Gemstones’
McBride, a Georgia native, has seen how Hollywood traffics in stereotypes about the American South. His HBO show satirizes televangelists without making religious people the butt of the joke.
Pope Leo XIV asks journalists to use communication as a tool for peace
The remarks come just one day after calling for a ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine.
Here’s what U.S. Catholics are saying about the election of Pope Leo XIV
At services on Sunday, some Catholics took particular pride in the election of the first American pontiff, who has familial ties to multiple places across the country.
Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, saying ‘Never again war’
In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of aid
Chicago celebrates cultural victory with native son, Pope Leo XIV
The likelihood that the newly elected pope has consumed a Chicago style hot dog is not zero. And that means something.
Pope Leo XIV may help Vatican explore the ‘great uncertainty’ that is Trump’s America
For close watchers of the Catholic Church, the election of a U.S. pope seemed impossible. The "Trump effect" on the U.S. and global order changed that, papal expert Massimo Faggioli told NPR.
Pope Leo’s stance on key issues, from climate change to LGBTQ+ rights to U.S. politics
Pope Leo is seen as a centrist who shares his predecessor's progressive views on certain social issues. Here's what we know so far.
Read Pope Leo XIV’s first homily as pope
During his homily, delivered in Italian, Leo XIV said that Christians must serve a world that is often hostile to their beliefs.
What it was like inside St. Peter’s Square when the new pope was announced
As Cardinal Robert Prevost's name was announced, a sound of shock rose up. It was something few people had anticipated — the new pope is from the United States.
Who is the new Pope Leo XIV and what are his views?
Pope Leo XIV was born and raised in Chicago. He is of French, Italian and Spanish descent. He spent years working as a missionary in Peru.
Holy white smoke, we have a new pope!
White smoke streamed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the 133 cardinals inside have elected a new pope. But we don't yet know his identity.
Holy white smoke: New pope selected by Catholic Church
White smoke streamed from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling to the world that the 133 cardinals inside have elected a new pope. But we don't yet know his identity.
Black smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel as cardinals cast an unsuccessful first vote
Black smoke streamed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the more than 130 cardinal electors have not come to a two-thirds agreement about who the next pope should be.
Syrian Druze recall what they believe to be past lives — even vivid details
In Syria's large Druze minority, a belief in reincarnation binds the community together.
The conclave to choose a new pope is about to begin
As more than a billion Catholics around the world await the election of a new pope, all eyes will be on the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals will begin the secretive process known as a conclave.
Catholic leaders criticize Trump for posting apparent AI photo of himself as the pope
When asked about the image, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York who is friendly with Trump, said "it wasn't good" and that he hoped Trump had nothing to do with it.
