Religion
Who will be the next pope? Here’s how the conclave works
Pope Francis's death sets an ancient machinery into motion. Soon, with a puff of smoke, the last absolute monarchy in Europe will get a new leader.
The world mourns the passing of Pope Francis
The international community reacts to the death of Pope Francis, a global figure whose influence went beyond the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, who reached out to the margins of society, has died at 88
The pope was a strong advocate for the poor and the environment and a towering figure on the world stage, addressing not just Catholics but the men and women of our time.
Pope Francis appears on Easter Sunday to cheers as he recovers from pneumonia
"Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Francis said, his voice sounding stronger than it has since his hospitalization. "Viva il Papa!" (Long live the pope), the crowd responded.
A Texas Easter tradition connects the generations
Cascarones are confetti-filled egg shells that families smash over each other's heads as part of Easter celebrations in Texas and Northern Mexico.
Jewish students at Georgetown protest detention of professor Badar Khan Suri
More than 130 Jewish students, staff and alumni from Georgetown University signed a public letter opposing the detention of Badar Khan Suri, saying that President Trump's policies make Jews less safe.
Defrocked former D.C. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick dies at 94
Theodore McCarrick, a once-powerful Catholic cardinal who was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he had molested adults and children, has died.
Supreme Court seems ready to let religious groups opt out of unemployment compensation laws
The case was brought by a chapter of Catholic Charities in Wisconsin, which says that it should be able to opt out of the mandatory state unemployment compensation system.
Catholic Charities tests Wisconsin’s unemployment payment system at Supreme Court
A chapter of Catholic Charities in Wisconsin contends it should be exempted from the state's unemployment compensation system because it's a charitable organization with a religious mission.
What Ramadan has been like this year in Gaza, from ceasefire to war
For the first week of Ramadan, Palestinians in Gaza marked the holy month with a respite from war. Then Israel broke a ceasefire with Hamas. The fighting and blockade mean there's little to celebrate.
These churches offer shelter and sanctuary to vulnerable migrants. Here’s why
Some are offering sanctuary to immigrants, others are ministering to families in different ways.
Pope Francis makes first public appearance ahead of hospital discharge
The Pontiff's expected discharge comes after a five-week hospitalization for a severe respiratory infection.
This Harlem pastor fights mental health stigma — and shares his own struggles
First Corinthian Baptist Church founded a separate nonprofit that employs therapists to bring mental health care to a community where stigma remains a high barrier to healing.
Pope Francis will be discharged from the hospital on Sunday, doctors say
The pontiff spent over five weeks being treated for bronchitis that evolved into a severe respiratory illness. When he returns to the Vatican, he will need to rest for two months, his doctor said.
Stargazing, poetry and meditation: What connects NPR readers to their spirituality
NPR readers of different belief systems share the poignant rituals that make them feel close to their spirituality. For some, it's poetry and gardening, for others, it's meditation and community.
Pope Francis seen praying in first photo since his hospitalization a month ago
In the image published online by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff was seated in a wheelchair and praying in the private chapel of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.
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.
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.
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.
Remembering A Murdered Birmingham Priest For His Faith And Courage
This week marks 100 years since Father James Coyle was murdered in broad daylight in downtown Birmingham hours after he secretly married an interracial couple. He's remembered for his faith and courage during a time of religious intolerance, racism and xenophobia.
As The Pandemic Drags On, UAB Pastoral Care Head Finds New Ways To Connect
Eight months after we first spoke, we checked back in with Malcolm Marler, senior director of pastoral care at UAB Medicine.
Southern Baptists Apologize for Sex Abuse Coverups
In the last day of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Birmingham, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination apologized for decades of sexual abuse and cover ups in the church.
