Pope criticizes couples who adopt pets instead of children: 'a form of selfishness'
Pope Francis on Wednesday branded couples who adopt pets instead of children as "selfish" as part of a call to resolve the "demographic winter" that the West faces.
Pope Francis starts new year with call to protect women, focus on the good
Pope Francis has used his New Year's Day appearances to encourage people to focus on the good which unites them and to decry violence against women.
Desmond Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning equality activist, dies at 90
Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has died at the age of 90.
Pope Francis prays for pandemic's end in Christmas Day address
Pope Francis' Christmas Day speech gives him an opportunity to draw a global audience's attention to conflicts big and small. This year was no different.
Many U.S. churches cancel in-person Christmas services
Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have canceled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and churchgoers who consider them an annual highlight.
Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass amid COVID-19 surge in Italy
Pope Francis has celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Jewish house of worship in San Jose goes up in flames, Torahs spared
The Chabad house, a Jewish place of study and worship, went up in flames this week, but fortunately, the Torahs were spared.
Missionaries freed from captivity in Haiti last week made daring overnight escape to elude kidnappers
Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for, officials said Monday.
Pope Francis celebrates 85th birthday as reform hits stride
Pope Francis turns 85 on Dec. 17, a milestone as he continues efforts to make the Catholic Church more attuned to the laity.
Haiti kidnapping: All Christian Aid Ministries hostages freed, police say
The Christian Aid Ministries hostages in Haiti have all been freed, according to the group and police. The group of 17 was kidnapped on Oct. 16.
National Cathedral to ring funeral bell 800 times in memory of 800K Americans lost to COVID-19
The Washington National Cathedral will ring its funeral bell 800 times Wednesday in memory of the 800,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19.
Judge: Christmas trees aren't religious symbols, menorah won't be displayed
A federal judge in California has ruled that Christmas trees are no longer seen as religious symbols and therefore, a menorah – which is religious – can be refused from being displayed at a school holiday ceremony.
Bishop tells children Santa doesn't exist
A Roman Catholic diocese has apologized to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that Santa Claus doesn't exist.
NY religious organizations prepare for indoor mask mandate
The mandate, which begins Monday, will run until at least January 15, at which point Governor Kathy Hochul says she will re-evaluate based on the number of cases.
Pope Francis addresses nun abuse detailed in investigative expose
During an audience with members of the Vatican’s congregation for religious orders, Pope Francis cited a new investigative expose of the problem written by a reporter for the Holy See’s media, Salvatore Cernuzio.
Lakewood Church money: Plumber who found cash, checks in wall to get $20K
Crime Stoppers of Houston is gifting $20,000 to the plumber who found a large amount of money inside of a wall at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church last month. Police believe the money is connected to a theft case from 2014.
Congregants of historic East Village church destroyed by 2020 fire keep the faith
One year ago, a fire ripped through the beloved Middle Collegiate Church in the East Village, destroying it. However, its congregants haven't lost the faith, taking to the streets Sunday for a pilgrimage.
Temple rebuilds from severe damage caused by Ida
Temple Tikvah in Nassau County suffered so much flood damage from the remnants of Ida that the cleanup and restoration will cost millions of dollars. The congregation hopes to get enough money from federal aid and generous donations to pay for the long project.
‘Chanukah Sameach’ : Biden recognizes Hanukkah 2021 with well wishes
“From our family to yours, and from the People’s House to your own homes, Jill and I wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!” President Joe Biden said in a statement.