Religion

The Pope enjoyed broad support among U.S. Catholics

A parishioner prays at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (Yuki Iwamura | AP) As tributes to Pope Francis pour in, many people are remarking on […]

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.

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.