Religion
Why religious leaders are divided on transgender rights
When Kansas became the 26th state to ban gender-affirming medical care for teens, the Catholic Church and Southern Baptist Convention cheered the move. But not all faith leaders agree.
This synagogue calls itself ‘anti-Zionist.’ Here’s what that means in practice
Tzedek Chicago calls itself anti-Zionist congregation, meaning it does not support a Jewish nation-state.
Vatican says hospitalized Pope Francis is showing ‘gradual, slight improvement’
The 88-year-old pontiff is responding well to the treatment for double pneumonia and has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" in recent days, the Vatican said Saturday.
‘God walks with us through the ashes.’ A poignant Ash Wednesday after LA wildfires
On Ash Wednesday, Christians hear the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Those words ring differently for many whose churches and homes burned in the Los Angeles fires.
Pope Francis has acute respiratory crises, the Vatican says
Pope Francis experienced more respiratory problems and went on noninvasive ventilation on Monday, the Vatican said, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church battles double pneumonia in the hospital.
Pope Francis experiences respiratory relapse
The Vatican says Pope Francis's condition has worsened after a breathing crisis in hospital on Friday - two weeks after he was first admitted to hospital in Rome with bronchitis.
Black Gospel Archive fills gaps in gospel music history
The Black Gospel Archive at Baylor University is the world's largest digital collection of gospel music. Now it wants to collect oral histories around its rare recordings.
Martin Marty, leading scholar of American religion, dies at 97
Martin Marty, one of the foremost interpreters of religion in American public life, died on Tuesday. He was 97 years old.
Syrian Jews return to Damascus for the first time in decades, hoping to build bridges
Thousands of Jews left Syria in 1992, when they were allowed to emigrate. The visit by a small delegation of U.S.-based Syrian Jewish religious figures last week was their first time back since then.
Curious about exploring your spirituality? Ask yourself these 4 questions
You don't need to be religious to create a meaningful connection to something greater than yourself. If you're interested in examining that relationship, grab a pen and paper and answer these prompts.
Christianity declines among U.S. adults while “religiously unaffiliated” grows, study says
The percentage of Christians in the U.S. has dropped dramatically, though that loss may have leveled off in recent years.
Pope Francis is still in critical condition, but he had another ‘restful night’
Francis, 88, has been in critical condition for several days and he has remained absent from several regular appearances. The church has encouraged worshippers around the world to pray for his health.
How is Pope Francis doing? The Vatican says he rested well and met church officials
Pope Francis "rested well throughout the night" in the hospital, the Vatican says, and even met with Vatican officials to sign several documents linked to sainthood designations on Monday.
Pope rests in his 10th day of hospitalization but remains in critical condition
Francis, 88, had remained in critical condition throughout the weekend after severe breathing difficulties were reported.
Pope Francis rested during a peaceful night following respiratory crisis
Pope Francis, in critical condition with a complicated lung infection, rested well during a peaceful night following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican said Sunday.
Pope Francis is in critical condition, the Vatican says
The 88-year-old Francis has been hospitalized for a week with a complex lung infection.
Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, Vatican says
Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Vatican. There's concern about the ability of the 88-year-old pontiff to fight off the infection.
Pope Francis’ hospital stay is extended due to ‘polymicrobial infection’
The 88-year-old pontiff was initially admitted to the hospital on Friday for bronchitis. On Monday, the Vatican said test results show Francis has "a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract."
Doctors order ‘absolute rest’ for Pope Francis due to respiratory infection
Doctors prescribed "absolute rest" for Pope Francis, the Vatican said Saturday, a day after the 88-year-old pope was admitted to a hospital following a weeklong bout of bronchitis.
27 religious groups sue administration over immigration enforcement policy
27 religious groups are suing the federal government in response to the Trump administration's policy giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at "sensitive locations" like churches.
Pope rebukes Trump over migrant deportations and refutes VP Vance’s theology
In a strongly-worded letter to Catholic bishops in the United States, Pope Francis is taking to task the Trump Administration's stance on migrants, and that he's following what he calls a "major crisis" with the initiation of mass deportation.
Historic Black church given ‘Proud Boys’ trademark calls for stand against hate
A judge ordered the naming rights of the extremist group the Proud Boys be given to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.
Pastor pushed out after parishioners complain about focus on racial justice
Leaders of a Baptist church in North Carolina ousted the pastor after congregants started leaving. A secret tape provides a rare look at the debate when a message threatens a business model.
Churches have a long history of being safe havens — for immigrants and others
For centuries, houses of worship have served as havens for people needing refuge — and, in recent decades, sanctuary from the U.S. government.
Bishop confronts Trump during sermon at inaugural prayer service
At a sermon preached to President Trump at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Budde asked him to "have mercy" on people who are "scared," including LGBTQ children.
Why some doctors have started asking patients about their spiritual lives
Indiana University's hospital system is pairing patients with local faith groups to ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. The unique new program comes as more doctors are seeing a need to care for patients' spiritual as well as physical health.
Five things we learn about Pope Francis from his new memoir
In Pope Francis' autobiography Hope he reiterates themes of his papacy like hatred of war and unchecked capitalism, and a desire for the Catholic Church to be seen as a field hospital, not a fortress.
Southern California wildfires destroy or damage many houses of worship
Faith communities in Los Angeles are trying to protect their homes and houses of worship from deadly wildfires. They are also trying to provide spiritual support for their traumatized congregations.
Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction
The White House commended Pope Francis for his commitment to serving the poor, as well as advocating for peace and protecting the planet.
Paws and prayers: Hoover church’s furry congregation gets blessed
The recent service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church is part of honoring St. Francis of Assisi.
United Methodists lose one-fifth of US churches in schism driven by growing defiance of LGBTQ bans
Roughly half of churches in the United Methodist Church North Alabama Conference have voted to disaffiliate within the last year, according to new study.
In tornado-ravaged Selma, prayers of thanks
The Sunday after a tornado devastated much of the historic city of Selma, church congregations raised up prayers of gratitude for lives spared and gave prayers of comfort for lives lost elsewhere to the storm.
