Pope Francis kisses Auschwitz survivor's tattoo

Pope Francis has kissed the tattoo of an Auschwitz survivor during a general audience on Wednesday.

Wave of anti-Semitic incidents rattle New York residents

People in Borough Park, Brooklyn, are looking over their shoulders when they are out and about after the recent anti-Semitic attacks. The NYPD is expected to step up patrols in Jewish neighborhoods.

Suspect arrested in Brooklyn church vandalism: NYPD

Police have charged Ali Alaheri, 29, with criminal mischief as a hate crime after he allegedly yore down a large crucifix at St. Athanasius Church in Bensonhurst.

Hindu group paid workers from India $1.20 per hour to build NJ temple, lawsuit says

A lawsuit says workers from marginalized communities in India were lured to New Jersey and forced to work more than 12 hours per day at ultra-low wages to help build a Hindu temple.

German Catholics will bless same-sex couples, defying Vatican ban

Germany’s powerful Catholic progressives are openly defying a recent Holy See pronouncement that priests cannot bless same-sex unions.

Italian judge on the path to sainthood after getting killed by mobsters

A magistrate slain by mobsters in Sicily and praised by two popes has been beatified by the Roman Catholic church on Sunday in the last formal step before possible sainthood.

Catholic bishops debate if Biden should receive communion given abortion stance

There’s a deep gulf between Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco and Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego in the high-stakes debate over whether politicians who support abortion rights should be denied Communion

Stampede at religious event in Israel kills dozens

More than 100 people were hurt in a stampede at a religious festival in northern Israel. Dozens of participants are feared dead. A student from New Jersey was among the missing.

Connecticut ends religious exemption to vaccination

Gov. Ned Lamont has signed a bill into law that ends Connecticut's long-standing religious exemption from childhood immunization requirements for schools and day care facilities. 

New Jersey to increase capacity limits for proms, graduations, more

Indoor and outdoor capacity limits are set to increase in New Jersey under a new executive order Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to sign.

California lifts COVID-19 limits on indoor worship services following US Supreme Court rulings

California lifted its limits on indoor worship services in the face of U.S. Supreme Court rulings that struck down the coronavirus public health mandates. However, the state still said indoor gatherings were “strongly discouraged” and advised limiting the numbers to 25% of a building’s capacity.

Ramadan during the pandemic

During Ramadan last year the mosque was closed. This year there will be an opportunity for some members of the mosque to pray together.

Holocaust survivor recounts leaving her family when she was a teen

Anita Weisbord is a 98-year-old Holocaust survivor thanks to her mother sending her to England via the kindertransport. She continues to tell her story today.

How South Asians are redefining the American dream

South Asian Americans living in New York and across the country walk the fine line between assimilation and maintaining ancestral cultural identity.

Poll: 40% of evangelical Protestants, largest religious group in US, hesitant to get COVID-19 vaccine

A recent photo posted online of the president of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest evangelical denomination, getting the COVID-19 vaccine drew more than 1,100 comments.

Pope urges hope amid 'darkness' of pandemic in Easter vigil

Pope Francis is urging his coronavirus-weary flock to not lose hope even through the continued “dark months” of the pandemic.

'This is scandalous': Pope decries war, weapons spending amid the pandemic in Easter message

“The pandemic is still spreading, while the social and economic crisis remains severe, especially for the poor. Nevertheless — and this is scandalous — armed conflicts have not ended, and military arsenals are being strengthened,'' Francis said, sounding angry. “That is today's scandal.”

Christians celebrate second Easter marred by COVID-19 pandemic

Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with faithful sitting far apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday.

Stylish 82-year-old woman inspires the internet with virtual church outfits

La Verne Ford Wimberly has attracted national attention for wearing her Sunday best despite her church holding service virtually amid the COVID-19 pandemic.